a£a VfcOTV, 1?lp
A SELECTIVE MICROFILM EDITION
PART V
(1911-1919)
Thomas E. Jeffrey
Senior Editor
Brian C. Shipley
Theresa M. Collins
Linda E. Endersby
Editors
David A. Ranzan
Indexing Editor
Janette Pardo
Richard Mizelle
Peter Mikulas
Indexers
Paul B. Israel
Director and General Editor
Sponsors
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
National Park Service, Edison National Historic Site
New Jersey Historical Commission
Smithsonian Institution
A UPA Collection from
tfj0' LexisNexis-
7500 Old Georgetown Road • Bctliesdn, MD 20014-6126
Thomas A. Edison Papers
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
, endorsed by
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
18 June 1981
Copyright © 2007 by Rutgers, The State University
All rights reserved. No part of this publication including any portion of the guide and
index or of the microfilm may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form by any means — graphic, electronic, mechanical, or chemical, including photocopying,
recording or taping, or information storage and retrieval systems— without written permission of
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
The original documents in this edition are from the archives at the Edison National
Historic Site at West Orange, New Jersey.
ISBN 978-0-88692-887-2
THOMAS A. EDISON PAPERS STAFF (2007)
Director and General Editor
Paul Israel
Senior Editor
Thomas Jeffrey
Associate Editors
Louis Carlat
Theresa Collins
Assistant Editor
David Hochfelder
Indexing Editor
David Ranzan
Consulting Editor
Linda Endcrsby
Visiting Editor
Amy Flanders
Editorial Assistants
Alexandra Rimer
Kelly Enright
Eric Barry
Outreach and Development
(Edison Across the Curriculum)
Theresa Collins
Business Manager
Rachel Wcisscnburgcr
BOARD OF SPONSORS (2007)
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Richard L. McCormick
Ziva Galili
Ann Fabian
Paul Clemens
New Jersey Historical Commission
Marc Mappen
National Park Service
Maryanne Gerbauckas
Michelle Ortwein
Smithsonian Institution
Harold Wallace
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD (2007)
Robert Friedel, University of Maryland
Louis Galambos, Johns Hopkins University
Susan Hockey, Oxford University
Thomas P. Hughes, University of Pennsylvania
Ronald Kline, Cornell University
Robert Rosenberg, John Wiley & Sons
Marc Rothenberg, Joseph Henry Papers, Smithsonian Institution
Philip Scranton, Rutgers University/Hagley Museum
Merritt Roe Smith, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTORS
We thankfully acknowledge the vision and support of Rutgers University and the
Thomas A. Edison Papers Board of Sponsors.
This edition was made possible by grant funds provided from the New Jersey Historical
Commission, National Historical Publications and Records Commissionand ThcNa.ona
Endowment for the Humanities. Major underwriting has been provided by the Barkley Tund,
through the National Trust for the Humanities, and by The Charles Edison Foundation.
Wc are grateful for the generous support of the IEEE Foundation, the Hyde & Watson
Foundation, the Martinson Family Foundation, and the GE Foundation. We acknowledge gifts
from many other individuals, as well as an anonymous donor; the Association of Edison
Illuminating Companies; and the Edison Electric Institute. For the assistance of all these
organizations and individuals, as well as for the indispensable aid of archivists, librarians,
scholars, and collectors, the editors are most grateful.
A Note on the Sources
The pages which have been
filmed are the best copies
available. Every technical
effort possible has been
made to ensure legibility.
PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM
COPYING RESTRICTIONS
Reel duplication of the whole or of
any part of this film is prohibited.
In lieu of transcripts, however,
enlarged photocopies of selected
items contained on these reels
may be made in order to facilitate
research.
EDISON GENERAL FILE SERIES
1916
Edison General File Series
1916
E-16-01 Advertising
E-16-02 Advice
E- 16-03 Articles
E-1 6-04 Autograph and Photograph Requests
E-16-05 Automobile
E-16-06 Aviation [not selected]
E-1 6-07 Bates Numbering Machine [not selected]
E-16-08 Battery, Storage - General
E-1 6-09 Battery, Storage - Edison Storage Battery Company
E-1 6-1 0 Birthday Greetings
E-1 6-1 1 Book and Journal Orders
E-1 6-1 2 Business Propositions [not selected]
E-1 6-1 3 Cement
E-1 6-1 4 Cement House
E-1 6-1 5 Charities and Loans
E-1 6-1 6 Chemicals
E-1 6-1 7 Christmas and New Year Greetings [not selected]
E-1 6-1 8 Cigarettes [not selected]
E-1 6-1 9 Clubs and Societies
E-1 6-20 Condensite Company of America
E-1 6-21 Deafness
E-1 6-22 E-2 Explosion
E-1 6-23 Ediphone
E-1 6-24 Edison, T. A.
E-1 6-25 Edison Band
E-1 6-26 Edison Chemical Works
E-1 6-27 Edison Crushing Roll Company [not selected]
E-1 6-28 Edison Manufacturing Company [not selected]
E-1 6-29 Edison Portland Cement Company
E-1 6-30 Edison Pulverized Limestone Company [not selected]
E-1 6-31 Edison Star [not selected]
E-16-32 Education
E-1 6-33 Electric Light
E-1 6-34 Electric Pen [not selected]
E-1 6-35 Employment
E-1 6-36 Equipment and Supplies
E-1 6-37 Exhibitions
E-1 6-38 Family
E-1 6-39 Fan Mail [not selected]
E-1 6-40 Financial [not selected]
E-1 6-41 Ford, Henry
E-1 6-42 Foreign-Language Documents (Untranslated) [not selected]
E-1 6-43 Fort Myers
E-1 6-44 Glenmont
E-1 6-45 Health and Diet
E-1 6-46 Honors and Awards
E-1 6-47 Insurance
E-1 6-48 Invitations
E-1 6-49 Lectures [not selected]
E-1 6-50 Legal - General
E-1 6-51 Legal - Legal Department
E-1 6-52 Legal - Litigation
E-1 6-53 Milan, Ohio [not selected]
E-1 6-54 Miner's Safety Lamp [not selected]
E-1 6-55 Mining - General
E-1 6-56 Mining - Metals and Other Minerals
E-1 6-57 Mining - Ore Milling
E-1 6-58 Motion Pictures
E-1 6-59 Name Use
E-1 6-60 Naval Consulting Board
E-1 6-61 North Jersey Paint Company
E-1 6-62 Patents
E-1 6-63 Personal
E-i 6-64 Phonograph - General
E-1 6-65 Phonograph - Edison Phonograph Works [not selected]
E-1 6-66 Pohatcong Railroad Company [not selected]
E-16-67 Politics
E-1 6-68 Port Huron
E-1 6-69 Proudfoot’s Commercial Agency
E-1 6-70 Radio [not selected]
E-1 6-71 Real Estate
E-1 6-72 Religion and Spiritualism
E-1 6-73 Stock and Bond Offerings [not selected]
E-1 6-74 Submarines [not selected]
E-1 6-75 Telescribe [not selected]
E-1 6-76 Thomas A. Edison, Inc. - General
E-1 6-77 Thomas A. Edison, Inc. - Fire [not selected]
E-1 6-78 Visitors
E-1 6-79 Warren County Warehouse Company [not selected]
E-1 6-80 West Orange Laboratory
E-1 6-81 World War I
E-1 6-82 X-Rays
Edison General File Series
1916. Advertising (E-16-01)
This folder consists primarily of correspondence from advertising
managers and publishers. Included are items concerning advertising
strategies, legislative matters, trademarks, Edison's opinions of specific
magazines, and appointments with the inventor. Among the documents for
1 91 6 is a clipping from Leslie's Illustrated Weekly Newspaper announcing the
celebration of Edison Week and describing a series of "tone tests," which
featured recording artists alternating their live performance on a darkened
stage with disc recordings.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents, including all letters bearing
substantive marginalia by Edison, have been selected. The unselected material
consists primarily of unsolicited correspondence that received a perfunctory
response or no reply from Edison.
basson's Statistical organization
1916.
Thos. A. Edison' a Library,
Orange, il. J.
Gentlemen:
We wish to ascertain what magazines
are most read by the more thoughtful business
officials of the country, and feel that such
data would be immensely valuable.
Experimental advertising is most
expensive and we wish to help our clients,
as well as ourselves, to reduce losses.
The Babson list of clients is of a
very high grade. We believe that it would be
a great help to many of our clients if they
could know the class of magazine publications
read most generally by our subscribers .
Therefore it will be very much appre¬
ciated if every one receiving this letter would
check off on the enclosed post card the names
of those magazines that they read most thought¬
fully and receive regularly.
Just a3 soon as we obtain this infor¬
mation the results will be compiled. Those who
wish to receive the final tabulation will pleas
so note on the post card.
Thanking you again for the spirit of
co-operation which we always receive, we remain
Very truly yours,
Babson' s Statistical Organization.
PPBryant
BMG
BIRCH-FIELD & COMPANY
% P V B L I C I T Y
ONE HVNDRED TEN
WEST FORTIETH STREET I f
NEW YORK fill"/;;
June 19th 1916.
My hear Mr. Hflison:
r 1
^ — <
You will remomher a more oi;r less- .
interesting eonierence at your home and a subse-
/ quent one in your office on the subject of adver- f
I tising.
I have just stumbled across a proposition which
will cost you nothing but which, if successful,
will net you considerable money in your phono¬
graph business.
This, if taken advantage of, should be handled at
I have also tv«o other propositions which I am con¬
fident will interest you. These propositions are
outside the field of magazine advertising of which
we formerly spoke. However, I am certain all
are based on fundamentals in the phonograph busi¬
ness. X wish to talk these over with you person¬
ally.
Although you ore extremely busy at this time, I
venture to guarantee in advance that t.he five or
\ ten minutes required for on interview will be
^profitably spent by you.
I'xwill come over any hour of the twenty-four
which yon designate through your personal Secre¬
tary who has my telephone number and address.
Y/ith a keen appreciation of the courtesies ex¬
tended by yon to me in our last two interviews.
Respectfully yours,
TELEPHONE
Wales Advertising Co.
12*> Eafft 2j>d street. New "York
Personal
MR. THOMAS A. EDISON
Orange
Dear Mr. Edison:
Tuesday
Juno 27
19 16
Enclosed is a reprint of a recent article in Printers' Ink, in
which I wao very glad to have an opportunity of featuring the notable
work you have boon doing in the development of American industries to
replace many products formerly imported. This reference to your
work wao perhaps neither accurate nor complete, but it was propably as
close to the mark as some others that have been published}
There was evidently no way to mention the Edison Storage Battery, which
I regretted, as you know I am an enthusiast regarding the advertising of
the Battery.
With kindest regards,
Very sincerely
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Start Now to Offset
War’s End
By
James Albert Wales
^urust 18th. 1916.
Mr. V . 0. Lipscomb, tlanoglnR editor,
rJ.:o neilroador,
iioanoko, Va.
Dost air;
Year favor of tho 4th instant adaroes-
ofi to • jEoicon has been rocoivoa. *ou state
therein tfcc.t you are .orbing under separate cover
a copy of your paper. So far talc papor hoc not
yot boon received by us. It 1ms prob&oly boon
loot in tho nails.
Yours very truly,
Kdison laboratory.
'UlCruiei) Series ferrate
September 15, 1916*
{^,r-
1 . , f- o'iO^ ^ **’
Dear Friend:
. 1 !" 9
of your oxprossed interpst in the
subject X am enclosing herewith copy of a letter which I
havo just .sent to l.r. Charles Holshauor, of Newark, New
Jersoy; statins my intention to support the Stophens-
Ashurst BilWIte protect the public against dishonest adver¬
tising and finisi? pretenses in merchandising" .
Sincerely yours ,
JBH/B.
September 7th, 19X6,
lair. Charles Holzhauer,
Broad & Market Sts . ,
Newark, N. J.
Bear Mr. Holzhauer
I have had no opportunity until recently
to give consideration to the questions involved in the legis¬
lation which has been pending in this Congress known as the
Stephens- Ashurst Honest Advertising Bill.
I am constantly receiving inquiries from all parts
of the State as to my attitude 'towards this measure from men
iftho I know, like yourself, are doing business successfully
along legitimate lines. It may, therefore, please you to
learn *that after full consideration I believe.it to be a
measure of sound public policy which I shall be glad to sup¬
port when it comes before the Senate.
As I understand the Bill, it is intended to prevent
cut-throat -competition whioh leads to monopoly and the elimina¬
tion of the independent retailer. In that respect it seems to
me it will further properly supplement the Sherman Anti-Trust
law.
I am frank to say that I have been considerably in¬
fluenced in ray deoieion regarding this legislation by the argu¬
ment which Mr. Justice Brandeis made in its behalf before- the
committee of the last Congress. In fact, 1 do not see how any
fair-minded man who realizes the abuses prevalent in the distri
bution of merchandise today can, after reading Justice Brandeis
statement, fail to be convinced, no matter how prejudiced he
may previously have been by superficial aspects and clever
arguments of the Bill's opponents. It seems to me. a measure
which is directly in the public interest and which should be
supported by all who believe in honest trading.
Sincerely yours.
For the oast year the Victor Talking h'f.chine
Ct,:.vn; ".ler.c* has enjoyed the diet 5 notion of ho lag
oreaentcd t. ot.r refers, ~ith -.11 the £c:.d thir.gr.
that can k* said of the Tk’.iaon T-: Iking Itaohine, I
think you will agree with tae that in Justice to your¬
self and yov.r product that ths coluirxr. cf The Hew
York nooning Pcet should he used for y ur advert! n-
I trust y_u r.'ill favor us with ar. order for
the insertion of the enclosed copy.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
In the United States alone, the industries founded by Thomas A. 111 T**
Edison give employment to six hundred thousand human beings. L\JLs\-r L
Edison Week is observed every year by a group of these industries in ft/f Vjl y' Oil (oil-
recognition of Mr. Edison’s contributions to science and commerce JllU) ItJlU LiJ
The New Edison
OF the various arts and sciences, Mr. Edison takes the greatest
interest in the recording and reproduction of sound.
Unquestionably, of all his numerous inventions, the New
Edison, the instrument of Music's Re-Creation, is his favorite.
It marks the goal of his ambition to record and reproduce all forms of
music with such utter perfection that the reproduction can not be
distinguished from the original music.
Mr. Edison has perfected this new instrument for the reproduction
of music, and recently submitted it to comparison with the voices of
such great artists as Marie Rappold, Anna Case and Arthur Middleton
of the Metropolitan Opera Company, Thomas Chalmers of the Boston
Opera Company, Alice Verlet of the Paris Opera, Christine Miller,
Elizabeth Spencer and Marie Kaiser, the great concert singers.
Remember, these great artists stood beside the NeW Ediszn in
Carnegie Hall, New York, Symphony Hall, Boston, the Asfor
Gallery, and other shrines of music. They sang in direct compari¬
son with Edison’s reproduction of their voices. More than 200,000
music lovers attended these demonstrations and were unable to
distinguish the original from the reproduction. The music critics
of more than two hundred of America's leading newspapers
admitted that they were unable to detect the slightest difference.
To differentiate this new instrument from ordinary talking machines,
the critics coined a new expression— Music's Re-Creation.
These astounding tests have proved conclusively to music
critics everywhere that the New Edison is incomparably superior
to any and all other devices for the reproduction of sound. We
have the verdict of the American press and American music
critics. We now want the verdict of the American people.
Bringing it home to you — $1,000 in Prizes
And 10 cents a word for your opinion, as explained below
IN every locality thcro is a merchant licensed by Mr.
Edison to demonstrate and sell the New Edison. Theso
tested Instruments which will bo sent on absolutely free
trial to the homes of responsible people during EdisonWcck.
Bring Music's Re-Creation into your home. Keep the in-
$500 for the Best Opinion
$200 for tho Second Best Opinion
$100 for tho Third Best Opinion
-ords in length
The Contest Closes October 20, 1916
The Conditions are perfectly simple
threo°daraEfrMn<r/e/'of1the,New1,Edison during Edison
>r - - - late ho will give you an entry
and misspell words and It will not count against you. The
New Edison stirs deep feelings in music lovers souls. Wo
want your feelings expressed freely in your own words.
Don't wait. Act quickly. Remember tho number of instru-
or these free trials is limited. Should you
ivq an instrument placed in your home,
Uiere is u nuusuiUtion contest open to you for the best opin¬
ions based on merely hearing the New Edison in an Edison
$125 First $50 Second $25 Third
Tho Contest Closes October 28, 1916
Tho dealer will explain everything to^you. Go to his store
Let us help you win a Prize
to us at once and wo shall gladly send you these
MuVtcrhhCobnvCohrsion'' and '“What 'Tho Critics Thin!
THOMAS A. EDISON, INC.
October 20, 1916.
Mr. Edison:
Heferring to the attached letter from the Adver¬
tising Manager of the New York Evening Eost, there is no
question that the Eost has the highest class circulation of
any paper in New York City, and if I were in George Babson's
place I should take an occasional advertisement in it. I
presume that his reason for not doing so is because the rate
is popularly supposed to he out of proportion to the size of
the circulation. ^
I don't think that we, as a Company, should take ^
any advertising in the New York Evening Eost or any other . .
newspaper at the present time. Che minute we advertise in one_ V
newspaper all the other newspapers, not alone in New York City*
hut the country at large, will he after us - also our dealers#*)^
At the present time we are getting more advertising
for the money spent than I ever saw any other manufacturer get.
Our dealers are convinced that we are not going to spend any
money in newspapers at present, and most of them are reconciled
to that fact. Accordingly they are going ahead and spending
their own money. Even through the summer months when most
dealers quit advertising, there were several hundred who kept
plugging away using the interlocking copy which we furnished
them. I believe that from now until next spring at least one
half of our dealers will advertise in the newspapers consistent¬
ly. In my opinion we cannot afford to disturb the present
situation by doing any newspaper advertising over our own name.
With special reference to the New York Evening Eost,
we can reoommend to George Babson that he take some space in it,
or we might go into an arrangement with Charles Edison to pay
part or all of the oost of some ads in the New York Evening Eost
Orange s , ewvvt^ •'j “* v'i! £•*■■*■
Dear eiril am sending you under eeperate cover an enlarged, hand
colored, framed picture of the Panama Pacific Exposition at San Francis ,
tho or,isl;:i:.ssor.ri.XdJS :E°;« «
came to me in a dream that you were looking for a new trade marx for
wroducto of the Edioon f actorie 0 ,you wanted a design which would
ornamental as well as suggestive of what the name Edison represents (that
is the brightest light in the Electrical world)you had begun to feel that
vour signature was too plain, you wanted to brighten it up, so that the
purchasing public would'take Notice .not because tho light of Edison inven
tive genius had lost any of its brightness only you felt that it needed
lighting up, so when I awoke and the dream came to my n<jtive senses n°
small photo X am enclosing herewith came to ray mind and I decided to enlar
ge.JH; color, and frame it, and send it to you so that it may adorn tho walls
of 'your laboratory or your home as you see fit. .
The small photo enclosed herewith you mny use to secure ^je^reproaucto
ion, from which plateyou can secure tho electrotypes, for t’-~
lithographed design and future trademark for all the mdi:
will readily understand what a trademark like this will a- - - -
a demand for the articles it is placed upon, for thousands of people
the lighting effects at the Exposition yet thy have not a pic ”
bring its beauty back to memory, thousands naoolo have talk:
Edison lights, and other cc
to memory the days when ti
light was just beginning 1- - - -
has fully manifested itself why not brighten it up by writing your
signature across the lights in the cloud in the picture.
bring it out in colors and you will find that the selling power oi ^uibu.*
products will recieve a great impetus, for those who buy will know who
they see this trademark that tho product is of the Edioon highest standard
of Quality.it will have tho same effect as the insignia of th Rico Load
ers of the World has, on the goods it is placed upon,
If my dream tomes true and you find this design acceptable and I
feel sure that you will, as a componsation for the use of it ?£>*' you may
send me ono of those Edison Diamond point reproduced cabinet typejdisc
Talking Machines, I have had a desire to own one of those machines for a
long time, and a design like thio ought to be worth this much to anyone
and if you feel that it is of any greater value to you as an advertising
medium, a draft will find mo thro the Union Savinge and Trust Oo.my bank
hero ^“i®e^Je;eQch you ln time to that you can place the new design on
the Ohristmae records and give the people an Exposition Edison lighw
surprise, so thanking you to accept the enlarged photo with mj
i products, you
> of peoplo have talking machines
of Edison manufacture which bring
ire was not these things, days when tho Edison
> break thro the clouds, and now that, that, light
■eproduce it
compliments,
yh ^ •
{o
ft
Respectfully youra
* ' -
#22 - R<
> /
605 Yeoler Way
Seattle x'-*
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (PHOTOCOPY)]
December 4, 191G,
iir. Harry E. n ancon,
G0I Yeclo'r bay,
boat tie , bash.
Doar Eir:-
Your favor of tho 20th ultira to Dr.
Edison vss rocoivod and brought boforo him for
hie consideration.
Ho requests mo to cay that whilo ho
greatly appreciate- your eourtosy in offering .
hira the ui.o of your picture as an advertising
trado-marfe, ho cannot sec his v.ay clear to maho
use of it. In the first pi:...: o , our precont
trade-mark lias boon estcbliohod for a great
many years and it trould bo inadvisable to chango
it at this late date. in the second place, tho
pieturo you have kindly offorod i-ould havo no
roforonoo for application to phonographs.
l!r. Edison wishes mo to extend his
thanlx to you for your eourtosy in Bonding hira
tho enlarged color pieturo, which bill bo hung
in the Laboratory.
Yours very truly.
.assistant to Hr.. Edison.
Edison General File Series
1916. Advice (E-16-02)
This folder contains correspondence from inventors and others asking for
Edison's advice on technical matters or his assistance in improving or
promoting inventions. Included is a draft response in Edison’s hand concerning
the use of respirators by workers in his factories. Also included are references
to the Naval Consulting Board and letters about war-related inventions similar
to the unsolicited correspondence in the Naval Consulting Board and Related
Wartime Research Papers, Special Collections Series. The correspondents
include Charles E. Adams, director of the Hector Observatory in New Zealand.
Less than 5 percent of the documents, including all items bearing
substantive marginalia by Edison, have been selected.
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— - - - y&JLL(JL. fi-fckL (.aXt, '-i/l
MS.MM OIL Company
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Wirt , Oklahoma. 1/19/1916.
c\ Ccrvitcr-r» t-
, T/U/<rr&
toA* ^ w (Jxwg
^iBTa^roauoer^i erode o|l 1, and we .1 V\
*Y 6 Wk 04^-^
jf Ebhis oi3rjin. steel tanks, when the
jreat. hazard in &p
in storing
*-»»**"
Dear Sir;-
Our Company'
store large quantities of
market is low, and there is a yer&/„ -
ULwetu Uvtuf
this oil from the fact that the escaping gas is often ignit¬
ed by lightning and the tank and all its eontent^a3\c a
oomplete loss. ^
These tanks hold 55,000 barrels o<£_the crude
oil, hence you can see the immense loss, either to ourselves,
or the insurance Co. We are now carrying this risk and have
no insurance on most of the oil.
Could you devise some means whereby this loss
could be leBBened;if so you would have done a great thing for
the oil industry of the world?
If you care to go into the matter further, I shall
be glad to give you any data that I can procure from the
ld Thanking you for any attention given this matter,
I am,
_Supt.Healdon.
5 a** ?+*»+** C°
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fe- Orange,
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Hew Jersey.
yy dear Hr. Kdison:-
you will
green-horn fisherman who eaught the first tarpon at '-•-->
Port Myers some years ago, when, through the kind Bug-
gostions of yours olf Mrs. Dudley and I were pursued-
ed to go to Port Myers for a short V/tnter vacatibn. - ; !l
Mrs. Dudley and I both rocoll with much pleasure the
onjoyable and interesting days spent at Port Kyers /••«*
mode so to a lores degree hy the kindness of Mrs. Bdi-
son and yourself. ^y-rr/j
As you will reeolloet I was one of7 t ‘^V
tho diroators of the iTiapnro Palls Power Company at '“j*'
the time you gave us valuable assistance in connection ^
with the eleotrieel development here and I am still'*'" iyi"*
largely interested in power and railroad matters inJ(.-<v< ,v <n _
V/cstern Hew York. A‘“<' " ^
She matter of additional power da-, 4.,.'.’.’"^
■wnlopment has rooeived considerable attention of late ^
, first, to a changed sentiment oril'u' J4l, *'
owing primarily
the part of the public and, second, to the fact that
the Canadian Government sontomplateB another large
?h<t
development on the Canadian side. V/nilo I 'enow mu eh
of tlio following information is within your personal
knowledge , I take the liberty of calling your atten¬
tion to the following:
The waters flowing over the Falls are
capable of developing in excess of 5,000,000 horsepower;
approximately 500,000 horsepower is nov: being develop¬
ed, which uses about one-tenth of the available water.
As an economical proposition, and having in mind the ul¬
timate benefit to mankind, there can bo no argument, of
course, in favor of permitting of such a gigantic waste
of energy which could be devoted to industrial develop¬
ment. in any event, the taking of an additional
quantity of water sufficient for the development of
500,000 oloctrical horsepower would make no appreciable
difference in the scenic features of the Falls of Niag¬
ara, conditioned of course on the proper distribution
of the flow of water being made above the Falls.
The present treaty between the United
States and Great Britain relating to boundary waters,
permits of the taking of 20,000 cubic feet from the
American side, although but 15,600 cubic feet are now
being taken. This treaty was made on the 11th day
of January, 1909 for five years, and continues until
#5.
terminated by twelve months notice by either of the con¬
tracting parties.
V/o must recognize s sentiment throughout the
United States against the doing of anything which would
work a destruction of the scenic features of the Falls.
Hy plan, contemplated, briefly, the secur¬
ing of the right to take sufficient water from the Amer¬
ican side to develop an additional 500,000 oleotrical
horsepower, taking tho water from the Niagara River in
tho vicinity of La Salle, which is approximately six
milos up tho River from the Falls, and conveying it to
the Niagara Escarpemenfc near Lewiston, a distance of a-
bout seven miles, whore a fall is obtained of approxi¬
mately 300 feet, and thence discharging the water into
the lower lliagura River, so-called, below the Escarp¬
ment, an additional distanoe of a littlo over a mile,
and in so doing construct a ship canal, of sufficient
depth and width to handle any vessel which may trav¬
erse the Great Lakes, utilizing tho lower Niagara River
as an outlet. V/e ore now dependent upon the V/elland
Canal, which extends from Port Colburno on Lake Erie to
Port DolhouBio on Lake Ontario, across the whole upper
peninsula of Canada, a vary great distanoe, with num¬
erous locks, tho V/elland Canal being entirely on for-
#4.
oign soil. 7o would have a ship oanal hut bout eight
miles in length, and the looks would he so arranged that
tho looking oould he d ono in suooession. The time in
passing from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario would he about one-
fourth of that now o onsumed by tho yollnnd Canal route. Tho
proposed oanal would he entirely in our ov.n oountry, the
importanoe of whioh to our oornmoroo needs no argument.
This oanal I would propose to build and give
to tho government, in consideration of their granting us
sufficient water to develop 500,000 horsepower. The gov¬
ernment , of oourse, subsequently to maintain and operate
the oanal.
in addition thereto, and perhaps tho most im¬
portant to tho government and to our people, is the foot
that wo would have elootrioal onorgy available, in oase
of war, for the manufacture of munitions siiffioiont to
make us independent of mineral nitrates obtained from
foreign oountries. Of oourse you recognize modern ex¬
plosives aro practically all nitro oompounds, and thst
the great supply of nitrates in the past have been ob¬
tained from Chili in tho form of nitrate of soda. Ger¬
many recognized the importance of raanufaoturing nitrate
from air by virtue of power development many years ago,
and the work has so been completely carried out that
#5.
Germany i- nov: able, through her eleetricol power no-
velopment to fix nitrogen economically sufficient to
protluco her own explosives, end ,ere this net the fast
and sho were dependent on Chili salt petre or nitrate
of soda, she would have been out of the running long
•before this.
With this onromous power development per¬
fected and available in the manufacture of munitions,
it would take less than six months to convert all of this
electrical energy into active agencies in the manu¬
facture of nitrates, and give to ns nitrate supply
which would he sufficient tp furnish us munitions. of
war to the full extent of the tremendous demands which
the next war will force upon us. Further, this loca¬
tion will he so far removed from the seaboard that it
would be easy to project it against all sorts of at¬
tacks.
ay association with the electrical power
development in this locality has presented to me an
apportnnity to m. «W «•»*»* “ ”'h" ’*"*
BtuW, ona I Mvo taa *>*° of'entor-e ol o S“1 °f
rtni.nl tortUU. ot po stops «* •1“*« 5M"1-
-.1 .oporto in our oountry. — . **•
assistonos on! aoopor.«», .«»•»* »“«”« *>“ '"9™'
any money, tnoy nonia to .M. •" —
"6.
?irst:- A ship canal on our own territory
v.hiah would greatly facilitate and increase our inter¬
nal and international 3on:meroe.
Sooona-.-Givc our oountry in time of peaoe
a tremendous industrial development ’.'.'hi oh would be felt
the world over, v.-ith an additional 500,000 eloetrioal
horsepower available for manufacturing and transporta¬
tion purposes. Portions of this power, until greater
demands ewist therefor, oould be utilized in the manu-
faeture of phosphates in the making more valuable our
lands in the South;
Third:- Electrical energy available in
times of war to afford a sure and sufficient supply
of nitro compounds to manufacture all of the munitions
of war, without depending on foreign nitrates, or on
sporadic and widely separated power plants, where dif¬
ficulties of protection and transportation would have
to be over-come.
In ray study and development of this matter
I have given full weight to opposing public sentiment,
and I 3m satisfied that any American with a reasonable
affection for his country and e desire for its advance¬
ment and protection, will not hesitate, under the cir¬
cumstances, to sacrifice a little of his aesthetic
feelings for the great benefit and protection which would
#7.
accrue to tho whole country.
Another thought which I have aonfldenee will
appeal to you is tho harge canal will soon he completed
and it occurs to me the most practicable method of pro¬
pulsion of canal hoots is by storage battery, each boat
being thus solf-aontained , so far as relates to power
permitting of the barges going directly through to Hew
York.
The State possesses the right of way for a
transmission line and suitable storages between
Albany and Hew York could be located for storage purpos¬
es. Of course, the ship canal is not a necessity to the
power proposition but it is an important inoidont and
perhaps a controlling one to the accomplishment of the
general plan indicated.
I think it hardly necessary to more than
state here that the markot for power will be sufficient
to justify a satisfactory return on tho monies invested.
V/hile 1 would have considerable influence
in the way of socuring financial support to this propos¬
ition, I fool a great desire before seriously going a-
head to hove your approval and if tho matter scorns prno-
tiooblo ultimo toly to have your co-operation and parti¬
cipation in the rnsult and would be glad to hoar from
you in due course.
With kindest personal regards, I am,
Yours truly ,
.Qjr&w*~2&t ex.yt.j-- '* veyt.o
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Hr. Thomas A. EDISON, limself.
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY CO.,
1105 IiAI-ESIDE AVENUE, ORANGE, N.-J., G.S.A
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1st April, 1916.
My dear Sir,
Referring to our
conversation during my stay in
New York - I herewith take the
liberty to remind you of same and
to ask you if you would be kind
enough to take out patents, etc.
And trusting you wiil favour me
with your kind reply - V.
Believe me,
sry trp^-y,
kT
■/ w*
Yours
BALTI MORE,MD.
April 29,1916
dear Ur. Edison:
You no"d~aubt"recall that on a trip
which I made to your plant about two years ago
you had an instrument for determining accuracy
or quickness of the brain in responding to audible
signals, and at that time you told me you thought
such an apparatus could be applied with practica¬
bility and success to testing the ability of
locomotive engineers to respond to handling of
their locomotive in an emergency.
Since that time I have been very much
interested in tests of this character as well
as others, and recently secured the services of
Hr.W.F. Kemble of Hew York, who i3 conducting a
series of tests for me on the Baltimore and Ohio
and preparing to outline a series of tests for
examination of men in the service as well as those
entering the service. I have taken the liberty to
write you this note asking that you see him for
a few moments and give him your opinion on this
subject, and also let him see the apparatus which
you had,if it is consistent to do so.
I remember with a great deal of pleasure
the interesting as well as instructive day that
I spent with you at your plant in East Orange,
and am looking forward to the pleasure of another
trip to your plant some time in the future. I
will appreciate any courtesies you may be able
to show Ur, Kemble, and I hope to have the pleasure
of reciprbcating at some future time.
With assurances of continued respect
and esteem,! am.
Yours very truly.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
East Orange, H.J.
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Henry j. Brennan
Mines and Mining
3 IvA-vr t- 4
-List* •aLtd't.tn**
/- e
A- 1 ^^1%
Hr. ThomasA. Edison, ^ ^ £,**'*“*}**
\ Cip& f .
Aug. 16, 1916
Orange, H. J.
Jya-*
\\-irV'*
esteemed fav^r^f th<( 9th inst. for
rentnring^p.- '
Dear sir= *
In reply to your
which I thank you, I trust I may he pardoned for n
word or so more on my subject, "Cheap fuel."
In your letter you stated that anthracite coal was oiffc^of your
line, and that after it was turned into electricity, you "come in",
The world knows that, so do I, and I know too that what I know
m^^f
may not Cwunt femuch, and that the world knows nothing, and cares
less about what me'/t/ of my cloth' presume to know or say.
The enclosed clipping from the Scranton TimeB of the 5th inst.
is a fair truthful statement of the value of unmined coal in the
ground .
I know but mighty Tittle about electrioity, I am sorry to
state, however, 'tis said that an open confession is good for the
soul. Electrical Engineers of reputation tell mo that cheap fuel
is an important factor in producing electricity, some of them
have stated to me that what I have in mind will produce electricity
as cheap as it is produced at Niagara Falls. Be that as it may,
the following is a brief summing up.
2
Hear Pottsville Pa., in the heart of the great southern anthracite
ooal region, are a half dozen small coal properties that oan be
grouped together, which will total llOOaeres, which, on a safe
estimate, is underlaid with 100,000,000 tons of merchantable coal
of which 55% or 55,000,000 tons will he steam sizes of coal, of the
finest quality. I can group those properties together for a price
for the estimated coal in the ground, which includes the cost of a
. a***** /^e/
1500 ton dailweapacity coal breaker, for a price of two^ cents per
ton for ooal in the ground. The life of the coal will he approximate¬
ly not less than 250 years.
The Schuylkill Valley, down along the Schuylkill Hiver, all the
way to Philadelphia, in Cities and Towns, is thickly populated;
Philadelphia being the second City in the Union, the cost of
electricity, it is claimed, is higher than it should be.
If coal is an important factor in the production of electricity,
I am simply wondering why it might not be a good plan to reverse
the order of things, as I have every reason to believe that someone,
some day^ will do, and instead of hauling coal to Hew Castle' at
a high cost, erect a large electric plant, near the mine, and
supply all the Cities and Towns, including Philadelphia, from, and^-*
including Pottsville, all the way down the Schuylkill Valley with '
fuel of the finest quality, not to exceed one dollar per ton for
steam sizes.
My line of thought in order to enter into such a contract for
approximately 55,000,000 tons of coal, at such a low figure, in
so far as the production of the coal may be concerned, is a bit
original in so far as coal mining is concerned, I contemplate
organizing a company^ and interest every man and boy in and
3
Co4
about the mine, os employes,^ stockholders, in a small way in such
a company, for good sound reasons, "Jhat plan l deem foasable
and practicable.
Tho wise men of the east may ridicule it, I have in mind in
so far as this class of gentlemen may be concerned, that once
upon a time ^/about the same time when they laughed at the Bell
Telephone, atsdf laughed me out of Court for insisting that there
was oil galore in the old Indian Territory, now Oklahoma.
I know, however, that a legitimate profit can bo made on pre¬
pared sizes of coal, over and above steam sizes and that steam sizes
can be sold at the figure I have quoted.
I can arrange with the property owners to accept one half
of the nriee for their properties in 6 fo - SO year bonds, if I succeed
in interesting someone who may be big and broad enough to finance
the other half of a bond issue, through some bank or bond house,
without assuming any financial responsibility, in consideration of
cheap fuel, provided that I can substantiate my statements, such a
house to be mode treasurer of the oom-any and of a sinking fund,
until the principal and interest of the bonded debt is paid. An
examination of the properties by a competent coal Mining Engineer
will Botisfy anyone that my statements are correct.
That particular section too should he a strong comped it^cdf
in the way of cheap fuel and other advantages, for the location of
the contemplated Government armor plant.
With best wishes always, I am
Respeotfully yours
23, 19K
HENRY J. BRENNAN
MINES AND MINING
Personal
>r. Ihon. *» Sainon,
Ornnra, II. J.
Dear :iir:
In answer to your esteemed favor of yesterday, I
desire to say a word or so more anti then, unless ray subject
should anneal to you, I am done, as I will rot attempt to presume
further on the time of a mighty busy man.
I have the coal properties, for a price of two and one-hulf
cents per ton for coal in the ground, not thirty five cents.
I hove examined those properties minutely end rm not astray
in my estimate of 100, "00, 000 tons, os that estimate is bached up by
the opinions of other Engineers of reputation and experience.
I have a carefully prepared report, a conservative report, such
as may he relied on, on those properties. If you might care to read
it, it will not hore you, I'll be pleased to forward it to you.
Very respectfully yours.
w £ai****^\ clLL C<>' f* -
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State iu'sHatatioiTat ^Ctityara
Kingston, New York,
September 29th, 1916.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of,
and heartily to thank you for your letter of the 25th
instant, stating that science has not yet determined
what electricity is.
I had read in the newspapers at
about the time of the subway accident in New York,
that you had expressed this opinion, and so stated
in the presence of an electricial engineer by the
name of George T. Henohett, who with a great show
of erudition stated exactly to the contrary, and
that science fully had determined what it is, and
at the suggestion of a number of gentlemen who heard
his statement, I wrote my letter-'fjf'tii? 22nd Instant.
With n
Very
FLOODWOOD, MINNESOTA October B, 1916.
; i cn ‘
,CC^-X oU .t V-
’ Ll2l^ ^ - y;
*■' U'L"1
, L l __„ _ jj-jvo. H-r. vmi and askin'? if th
m talcing the libW of writing to you and asking if thru
some means somethin* could not he devised, either of a mechanical or
jhemical nature, to redeem the many thousands of acres of valuable
lond which lie unproductive and are a west economic loss because no
practical means of exterminating the stumps has yet been discovered.
Such a discovery would not only be of great value to the farmers^ of
the country but to the whole country as v.-ell and all countries .acre
ca-eat tracts of such land are to be found. It would seem as though
somethin- of a chemical nature, which, when injected into the suump
would cause rapid deterioration would be the ideal thing, -ould you
lcindly tell me wither there is anything which would brin~ about this
desired result and if not do you think it would bo possible for some
such thing to be worked out ? « ^ *« information exton
October 18, 1916.
i.Ir . Julius H. Zobel,
c/o i’iie i'irst Stai.e Bank of klooawood,
I’loodwood , i.Iinuosota .
Bear oir:-
Yaur favor of the 8th instant lias boon re¬
ceived. You ask if I Imow of any chemical which,
whoa injected into the stump of a treo would cause
rapid deterioration. I do not know of any chemical
that would do it quick enought. I suggest that a
practical way of removing the troe stumps would bo
to use sheet iron cones, with chimney attached and
then set tlio stumps on firo. Ehey wculd burn to
the ground end separate the main roots. X have had
a rough sketch macio of such an arrangomont and enclose
it herewith.
Yours very truly,
LOUISVILLE, KY. , I'lov. 20—1916.
Ur.- Thomas A. Edison,
Llewellyn Park, Orange, II. J. ^
I.Iy Dear Sir: .. .
Know in" that you were yourself once upon a time , a tele-
than what it is used for’ • T ■ wor.,-in.T 0n Ihe old Vandalia
male more use of, if some one like, yourself were to .take hold ox
U - . The experience I had was this. One night while on duty,
sssaifsi.
Tmvs elf thought of, hut that> did not alter the fact that if I
could distnetly hear those words from.an ordinary tele0r..ph
relay, that surely there was. a way to gat moi a u*e o*v o.
js> “rth?»ihra;sra
*S2£JSS .
I beg to remain, ,
Yours very truly,
November 31, 1916,
Mr .Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
My Dear Mr. Edison:-
Please give me your
opinion in regard to the use of elect¬
ricity as a purifier of water. Can water
be purified by eleotrolysie^
Thanking you very kindly
for this information, I am
Yours very truly,
November 28,1910'.
Dr. Oscar 15. Ilarehman,
Nils on Building,
Dallas, .oxas.
Dear Sir:-. ’
fioplylag to your favor of the 21st instant,.
l!r. Kdison requests ue to say that water has boon
purified not by eloctricity, but by or.ono made by '
electricity. If you are invited to go. into any
.proijoeition of this kind, you should oxoroiso very
groat caution as there are many fakirs abroad in
this lino of promotion*
.Yours vory truly.
I
* ^64-^4 /2..
Ur. II. ?• Perkins ,
249 Uaple Ave..
iidgowood Part,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Dear Sir:-
Eoplying to your favor of tho 25th
instant, Ur. Edison thinks that tho dovlco you
need would bo one in which a selonium cell is
employed. Ho does not know who tho aakoro
of these colls are, and perhaps you can find
out through Queen S> Co., Philadelphia, la.
Yours very truly.
Edison laboratory.
#11 Fullerton Avenue , F!L <Z
Montpelier, Vermont, ! -
Deo enter 6th, 1916.
Mr. Thomas Alvah Edison ,
East Orange, New Jersey.
this wise hoping that you will
&
;r*w
eJ»~-
+ uJL^*'** -
Tii>'
^ r y
am taking the liberty to address you in /
so verv kind t
regarding an idea.
m theory, I have arranged a few pieces of
apparatus to form a system for the transmission and reception of communication.
I might state that there is no commercial reason for the existence of this
form of communication. It is my opinion, however, that it might he useful
as a military signal.
As far as I am aware there 1b no form of
military signal that oannot he picked up by an ’enemy’, either hy Bight,
sound or electrical means. My idea has the advantage that, as I see it,
it oannot he picked up except hy for whom it is intended. It is only
useful, as you will see, over such distanoe wherein a direct atmosphere
or ether oourBe obtains. It is as follows:-
Transmitting.
Steady electrical power supplied hy battery (or dynamo, if convenient)
to an arc. Aro located in (rear) end of lightproof metal box, mounted so
that it might he swung in any position. (Approximate dimensions:- length
two feet; height and breadth eight inches. Peep shutter arranged in wall
of box by which aro oould be trimmed. Hefleotor behind aro, tending to
throw strength towards (front) end of box. light passes through two oonvex
lenses, arranged a convenient distanoe apart. Telegraph relay set in floor
of box, in such manner that a tiny' shutter' , attached to its armature would
interrupt the light point when relay magnet was not charged. Relay governed
by cell and telegraph key. Soreen (nitroso de menthyl amiens) set into
front end of box, passing only ultra-violet or infra-red rays.
Receiving.
Three sets of celenium cells. One set arranged vertically in a circle
to pick up signals traveling on a level with receiving set. One set arranged
above first set, tops inclined to pick up rays coming from above. One set
arranged below first set, bottoms inclined to pick up rayB coming from
below.
7/hen any cell is excited, a metal tube, fitted internally with steppes
to exolude all foreign rays oould be brought into position to reoeive rays
from the transmitting set exciting the particular cell. Rays to be picked
up for record by means of a bolometer arranged in back of tube.
I realize the idea is in very crude form,
but it is ray firm belief that it will work. I fail to see where an ’enemy’
oould piok up the signal.
I wish you would give me your frank opinion
as to whether this signal has military possibilities.
Hoping that I may hear from you, only,
however, at your leisure, I
Very Respectfully
(A Telegrapher)
Dooerabor 12,1916
Mr. 2. 2. foaguo, ,
11 li'ullorton Ava . ,
Montpelier, Vermont.
Dear Dir:-
P.cplying to your favor of tho Gth
Instant , let mo tay that thoro have boon in¬
numerable schemes proposed for using Selenium
Cells , aloo bolometers. I unyoelf .have! been
trying a’ number of thorn.
fho aquooua vapor of tho atmosphero
absorbs so much of the lower rays and tho ultra
-.violet rays, arid thoro is so much of the hazy
atmospheric interf orenec'S , that none of tiio
scheaoc based on light have boon made practical
, up to this time.
: Yours vory truly.
a/1566,
Edison General File Series
1916. Articles (E-16-03)
This folder contains correspondence requesting Edison to write articles,
letters from journalists and publishers seeking to interview Edison or solicit
statements and photographs for publication, and other documents relating to
articles by or about Edison and his inventions. Among the documents for 1 91 6
are items regarding the deaths of Edison associate Jonas W. Aylsworth and
Canadian inventor and engineer Thomas L. Willson. There is also
correspondence pertaining to Edison’s camping trip with Henry Ford and John
Burroughs and to his health and sleeping habits. In addition, there are
clippings, draft letters, and marginalia containing Edison's opinions about
political matters, including woman's suffrage and the presidential election. A
statement prepared for The Engineering Magazine announces his opposition
to a bill introduced by Rep. Clyde H. Tavenner to prohibit the payment of
bonuses to government workers on the basis of efficiency studies. Among the
correspondents are Abraham Cahan of the Jewish Daily Forward, author and
self-improvement training pioneer Dale Carnegie, and Joe Mitchell Chappie of
the National Magazine.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists of items that received a perfunctory response or
no reply from Edison.
oS)
cj7ie{P) utter ic/y {f^ui feline^
U-&
T7 a~***t* w*4* qr***3*****
30 'January !.4th, 1916. U
1 The time for discussing terms ^
of peace in Europe cannot lie far distant, ./
In a way it is not America's affair. But
America is vitally concerned and just now
the hosts of us would like to know for our
guidance what our own Great Ones think the
terms should Be. And Europe mi^it care to
know. 7/ould he helped in knowing.
Will you honor EVERYBODY'S
and serve ycur fellows and possibly the
nations at wer in answering sis questions?
'.7e are asking these questions of twenty
distinguished Americans. The answers to
constitute a symposium in EVERYBODY'S
MAGAZINE.
These questions are only sug¬
gestions. You are free to ignore any of
them or all of them. Your idea of what the
terms of peace Bhould he is what we are
asking for.
(1) What changes would you
make in National boundary lines as they
existed before the war?
(2) Would y;u preserve the complete In¬
dividuality of the smaller nations or federate
them into larger units?
(3) What nation or nations should receive
indemnities? To cover what? Whet nations
should nay them?
(4) What plans and guarantees would you
advise to insure future safety from military
interference?
(5) What planB and guarantees would you
advise to insure future safety from coirmercial
interference?
(6) In your judgment would or should the
Monroo Doctrine prevent America's joining
Europe in these plans and guarantees?
May we have your contribution to this
symposium, which we are planning for the Maroh
EVERYBODY'S, before January twentieth? Mean¬
time will you have your secretary mail to us
or tell us whsre we may secure the photograph
you prefer for reproduction?
We are sending you under this cover
January EVERYBODY’S and pamphlet showing how
we handled the symposium, "What Do Britishers
Think of America's Neutrality?" The proposed
symposium, "What distinguished Americans think
about the Terms of Peace," should be even more
important and helpful. May we have your con¬
tribution as soon as possible, even if it must
be brief?
ASS€
MON
January 6;£y'.
*r
Bear Itr. Edison:
-• M <y
The secretary of tho American Thrift
Association tells me of your deep interest in
the movement and is working with mo in bringing
before the youth of north America in our coming
Thrift issue, tho saving habit of saving.
Will you not put into a few words your
splendid "horse sense" suggestions on the value
of the Thrift Habit to a young man, workman or
clerk, on the threshold of life?
Too many of their futures have "all gone
up in smoke". With ten, twenty, or thirty cents
a day spent in cigarets they have been out of
pocket and out of brain tissue.
We want to help men build homes, build
a business, build a character, build their futures
-and Thrift is at the bottom of it all.
By this mail I send you a copy of our
Thrift issue of last year, in which James J. Hill
wrote the opening article , followed by Ur. Eord
outofhis experience.
Pardon me for writing you, but thousands
of young men will thank you for what you write.
Sincerely yoi
Perhaps you remember about one year ago giving an interview
to a correspondent of the Hew York Times, in which you named what you
considered the principal achievements of inventors since the discovery
of the electric light.
There were seventeen world benefits in this list, and we re¬
call that among these w as: "The discovery of the commercial method for
the production of acetylene."
The man who was really responsible for this discovery - who
made possible the great acetylene industry of today - was Mr. Thomas
Leopold Willson, Canadian scientist, engineer and inventor. On Decem-
ber 30, last, he died following a sudden illness in Hew York.
His services to the world, through his inventions, were mul¬
tifold. Probably you knew him personally, and trusting this to be so,
we come to our reason for writing at this time.
As official organ of the acetylene industry, cur publication
feels inoumbent to present a fitting tribute to the late sir. Willson in
our columns.
We wonder if you would be so kind as to favor us with a word
for this purpose - through your recognition of commercial acetylene as
a world-beneflfcting discovery, such an expression would be mosu fluting
as due appreciation of a noted scientist foremost prominent in the event.
A word from you v/ould be greatly appreciated.
Yours very truly.
Vyf'V V VW-'I - -
-fOi Hi
THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
INDEPENDENCE SQJJARE
PHILADELPHIA
k THE LADIESHOME JOURNAL i
I THE SATURDAY EVENING POST I
7 THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN ^
VOCATIONAL DIVISION
January 12, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
V/eat Orange, New Jersey.
Dear Mr. Edison,-
I know a young man v'io fiola that salesmanship io below,
both socially and intellectually considered, other professions . Ha can't
see that salesmanship represents a respectable life-time employment. Will
you wire me , > immediately, collect, a one or too sontonoo tribute to sales¬
manship, as you estimate £ , that may help this young man of my prssent
concern, to oeo straight? I'll find opportunity soma of these days duly
to thank you.
Yours very truly.
Ur. Ueadoworaft, Secretary
to Ur. Edison,
Orange, H. J*
Dear Ur. Ueadoworaft:
you have been very kind in oo-operatxns
with us in attempting to secure from I*. Edison
a special message on Thrift.
I can quite appreciate how overwhelmed
he is with work and the many appeals that come
to him.
However, you may he able to put your hand
on some statement he has made m reference to
Thrift that I might quote. tar I know that thxs
is close to his thought and a sentence from him
would count tremendously ^n+ll0J?^n| ““e way he
as
he has made in his life.
I would greatly value such a quotation
if you can locate it. It will help many a fellow
climb up. Thank you.
rdialIUPr^7
7]]/^.. ffitJtrtt \ s"
s ia,;A 3
/- 3 ' 1 !■ - ' J SeSf**.
/*zJ
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/Cc&jU'.j htxHt.
t
Ut\ <*1 * Z*'\
HU ei.vi<
€e ,
'n
PUBLIC -Aifti LEDGER
l!y dear Hr. Edison: -
YUth respect to the rapid re-building of your
plant for making phenol in Newark, we venture to ask, for editorial
information, that a statement be prepared and sent to us indicating
the extent of^Hrade in carbolic acid in this country, and the need
for the commodity produced by the war.
y/e should welcome from you from time to time
information, not necessarily to be published, but which in your
judgment might serve as a proper basis for consent on Important
affairs of which you are specially cognizant. Before expressing
editorial opinions we would know the facts in their true bearings;
we wish to be unusually well informed, and therefore more responsible
in our utterances than, newspapers that are not national in their
scope and purposes. Should you be disposed to render this servioe
on occasions selected by you, I am sure that it would prove of high
public interest and value.
Very sincerely yours,
cui< u- t
u HHa <r,,
Jen. 17th. 1916.
ilr. H. B. Brougham,
Public Ledger,
Independence Square,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Pear Sir:
Your favor o.f the 15th instant to
iir. Edison has been received by him. He is
exceedingly buEy on some special investigations
that he is making, and. has asked me to v.rite
to you end say that if you will send him a
list of specific questions in regard to Carbolic
^cid, aniline, Bon&ol, etc., he will try to un-
swer those that touch points with which he is .
familiar.
Yours very truly,
i.ssistant to Yir. Edison.
The Engineering Magazine
J ^frpnuory 17, 19.16.; _ ^
^ / f
5r. Rollin Vi. Hutchinsfcn, Jr.
and I take Pleac«!f ir. sending you ^
regard ns altogether the sanest and strongest a
Bade ns to the future development of our Koto 1
nleasure automobile has wrought a revolution, and for ir
and over again in .motor trunks.
j asked Hr. Hutchinson to give me a Uat of the "thinking men" in
the industry, so that I night send his article to them, and ns he includes
you among those who are thinking intently upon the problem. 1 take special
y truly yours,
~ ^ 2*
Edison .ua'borRtories ,
Bear Sir:
7,'e desire to include in our edition of ]?A THE bEV’S
issued on February 12th, a picture of iir. Thoms A. rid is on,
whose birthday anniversary, re understand, occurs on February 11th.
For this purpose, we require not more than fifty feet of film,
showing Hr. Edison at work or at leisure, to be used under a
caption somewhat as follows:
"Thomas A. Edison, electrical '.vizard , celebrates
his sixty-ninth birthday."
As you know, it takes less than two minutes to ex¬
pose fifty feet of film and our cameraman would take up little
more than this of Hr. Edison's valuable timo.
7111 you kindly bring this matter to Hr. Edison's
attention, together with th.-^ re quest that h; favor ns by allow*
HV.'F/HCB .
I am in receipt of your favor
of the 20th instant, and have consulted
lur. Eeison in regard to making about fifty
feet of film showing Ur. Edison at work
or at leisure, to be used in your 1’athe
Hews of February 12th.
Ur. Edison is willing that this
picture may be taken, but would prefer not
to do it next week. You can call me up if
you like in tho beginning of the week of
January 31st .
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Ur. Edif
VOCATIONAL DIVISION
THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
INDEPENDENCE SQJJARE
PHILADELPHIA
©THE LADIES' HOME JOURNAL A
THE SATURDAY EVENING POST
THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN
January 20, 1916
l,ir. William II. iieadowcroft
Assistant to Ur. Thomas A. Edison
West Orange, Hen Jersoy
Dear Ur. Uoadowcroftj-
You may remember that a few days ago I wrote
to Kr Edison requesting him to wire me, collect, a
one or two sontonoe tribute to salesmanship, that
mieht be of help in assisting a young man of my ac¬
quaintance , who counts the profession of salesmanship
beneath him, to think straight bt “°a rain'to Sr
please, to bring this request of mine againto Lr.
Edison's attention. The point I want to drive home
is that which will make clear to my young man, andto
others like him, the fact that men of notable achieve¬
ment in fiolds other than of profeosionalsalesmanship,
view appreciatively, not despising them, the powei and
possibilities of this particular vocation wlnoh my
young man mistnkonly maligns.
Assure Ur. Edison, please, that he can be
of real service in complying along the line of my
quest and that full appreciation wiU welcome any
fifteen or twonty or more words that he may find it in
his heart to dictate.
Very truly your3
THE CURTIS/UBLISHIEG COUPAiY .
Manager of VocationalDivioi
A MONTHLY MUSICAL JOURNAL
THE.O..PRES/S^RiGOi BuB^SHERS,
Jan. 22nd, 1916
Mr* Thos* A* Edison, y
sur Ur. Miron:- Qir^s.'^’ (tr.£fJw ^
Something oxer a ydar ago you very ^
kindly consented to favor us with your opinion upon _ J
the subjeot of "MubIo a Human necessity in Modern lifey^
Mot a Heedless Accomplishment. ' — "
1 realize how extremely busy you
have been since the outbreak of the war and sinoe the
fire from which you recovered so phenomenally l^suoh a
abort time and for that reason I have delayed writing
you again.
'i’his symposium was published month
by month and inoluded the opinions of a great many men
who would have hesitated to have given them for any
other cause, -men who believe in the big Purpose ®*.
music , -the wide need for more musio and better music
for the people..
We send you herewith in a special
envelope, registered, several pages from 5KB MUBB in
in whioh these previous opinions have been given, i
am sure that our readers would be very grateful to you
for your opinion whioh we shall take pleasure in pub¬
lishing as soon as we get It.
We take pleasure in sending you a
copy of an editorial of THE ETUDE which has been re-
printed by private individuals and circulated through
a great many thousand ooplea.
Very cordially,
SIHJS EDITOR 0? THE ETUDE
ji’o/um
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
1 1
I cannot think of half the things that music does. Via
know that music will make a soldier charge a trench more resolutely
and a workman do his work more accurately and lapidly . Je also
know that music frequently aids the aLi-tsrusUinPrela-ing
that it helps us enjoy our dinners better and assists us in rela.ving
n-rter our work These are some of the things we all know about.
! read in a newspaper last night that a prize-fighter has just installed
a phonograph in his training quarters so he can listen tomusio while
he is boxing skinning the rope and punching the bag. -h«tio a need
for music which I should never have thought of and undoubtedly tnere
are a great many others that would never occur to me.
The greatest need for music, in my opinion, is the need we
all have for mSntal and moral development. llusic speaks in t a*
tongues of all nations. If the theme i3 “° taught that he means to
and if the composer knows how to express the' taought that he means Jo
convey we can understand his message, no matter if he is oi^n alien
race and his thoughts and ideals foreign to our own. Listen to a
nation's music loEg enough and you can form a pretty good idea of its
people, even though you have never visited their country nor read
their literature.
OciiuunJ
It oiipreBse-
itional spirit
simple song
the
All music conveys some kind of message
a of human thought and emotions.
_ of a nation are sometimes better
th^n by the commentaries of its historians.
t-f t were p-oin"- to start a revolution or any other
movement- which reouired the crystalizing of public sentiment I should
p?efe? L Appropriate song to a bushel basket full of speeches.
kind that he instinctively prefers I think l^P s _
a desire to hear better music. it ® him infJnlte lengths. I can
-III Ml“e SKIS at'popui™ tana
lead a man ultimately to symphony concerts.
The development of musical culture in young people is, in
my opinion, an ^ntf®igi^g?ngtor°plrforming on some sort
mean, necessarily, instruction in gingP instrumentalists
of musical lingers oulture. What
f “ y««W people la t. Blv. the.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(a)
sufficient opportunity of hearing good music to insure that they
will aceuire the faculty of appreciating and understanding at least
some of ‘the hotter kinds of music. My idea is tnat a young person
cannot hear too much music. Of course there are some songs which
should not he heard and there is some music which, if its theme is
comprehended, is not wholesome, hut parental censorship of music is
a comparatively simple matter.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Music a Human Necessity in Modern Life
Not a Needless Accomplishment
ii[nniiiiiiiimmnnnnuinfiiiniilli,llll
Among the many Americans foremost in public life who are taking
part in this momentous symposium from month to
month are the following :
EDWARD BOK
ANDREW CARNEGIE
RUSSELL II. CONWELL
DANIEL I'ROI IMAN
G. STANLEY HALL
THOMAS EDISON
HON. RICHMOND P. HOBSON
ELDRIDGE R. JOHNSON
DAVID STARR JORDAN
JOHN LUTHER LONG
What Music Should Mean to the Business Man
By Eldridgc R. Johnson
THE CURTIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
INDEPENDENCE SQUARE
PHILADELPHIA
k THE LADIES' HOME JOURNAL A
1 THESATURDAY EVENING POST f
“ THE COUNTRY GENTLEMAN "
VOCATIONAL DIVISION
February 1, 1!)16
$Jr?ss (ttlitlt of (EIjiragn
CITY HALL SQUARE BUILDING
139 N. CLARK STREET
Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
West Orange, K . J.
My Dear Sir:
February 7, 1916,
May I take this opportunity of thanking you for
your splendid expression of sympathy upon the recent death
of Mr, Thomas Leopold Willson - the inventor of commercial
calcium carbide - reproduced in the Acetylene Journal and
augmenting to large extent our own notice and biography.
With the issue in which this article appeared
I resigned the editorship of the publication, and am now
writing the many who have so kindly assisted me during the
time I was in the editor's chair - hence this word of appre¬
ciation for your courtesy.
Yours very
ORANGE NJ
THE EDISON 8ATTERY IS DEFECTIVE IN NAVAL REPORT ON 6 2 EX^osiON
PLEASE SEND TO THE EAGLE A STATEMENT IN DEFENSE
BROOKLYN EAGLE
|258PM f f 7
,r - , •
- Z//6
Jly dear Ur. Edison: —
I was just wondering
if you are going to make your trip South
will he possible forme to see you when I am in that vicin
ity about March Uth? I would like to have a little chat
with you, so as to prepare a little sketch for the reads -
of the NATIONAL. Somehow, our readers seem to feel -ill
usod if we let six months pass without something new about
Thomas A, Edison,
I am anxious to know what progress has been made
on the "Tol is cribs". I wrote an article about it, and nov
I am wondering whether it would be available to l'°a
library, to talk my thoughts into it at night, and have than
recorded for the next morning. About the °nly br lliant
thoughts that come to me , come in the night, or the wee
sma'« hours of the morning. I have gotten into the habit
of dictating, and I cannot transcribe these tncughts by
pencil the cone as Ihorson used to do.
I wish you could hear my tribute to you in my
"FLASHLIGHTS 0? FAMOUS PEOPLE", which I have been giving
all over the country. Anyone in the audience is privilege
to1 call on me for a word picture of some celobrity, and when
+h«v cell for Thomas A. Edison - which I assure you is often
ASStSSw *. «• XV. '
are the real, true monument to ihomas A. Edison. It i
great stuff, and I am going to have one of these tributes
taken down some time and send it to you.
in anxious to prepare something in the Washing-
March 8 th , 1916 •
Mr . Durand :
puoiiBhea MBtW&S: SSUSSi SX?rSAS
It is all to the gooa.
You will see in the second paragraph in Ilr. Chepple ' s
lott.r that h. «*c « niS wVt. hi.
you to Ire the trouble to write nine nice ^radical application
so.othinp about tno oorTricrcial ^ ;vili find that he will
SoSilfSK T»Ko“rlio!o £55 :t in tno llotionol llagaolne.
vindlv bu-. in your letter that I received his favor of the
aevonth instant and "have asked you to reply to his ouestion ,
comos in your province.
... ii. UiSADOlVChOl'E .
March 8, 1916. / ,]S^ )
V ' ' J
Thos. A. Edison, Esq., \ j
East Orange, N.J. N‘~ - ''
My dear Sir:
Prompted by the leaders of the Labor Unions, Congressman Tavener of
Illinois has introduced in the House a bill prohibiting the use of time studies and
the payment of premiums or bonus in cash to the mechanics and employees in all Gov¬
ernment arsenals end ship-yards. I enclose a copy of the bill, so that you may know
its present provisions, end I understand that the scheme is to prohibit all Govern¬
ment contractors from employing these systems.
Of course you know that the Labor Unions bitterly opposed the introduction
of the power loom, the sewing machine, the locomotive, the air brake, the type-oetting
machine, and in fact every great labor-saving device that has ever been invented— upon
the stupid theory that "it would throw men out of work." This proposed legislation
is of a piece with all such ignorant reasoning, and the plan of the labor leaders is
to take advantage of this presidential year to force such legislation through Congress.
I presume you know that similar legislation was slipped through, in the
closing days of the last Congress, as "a rider" in an Appropriation Bill— Fitzgerald,
the Tammany Congressman from New York, who is Chairman of the Appropriation Commit¬
tee, being the man who worked the scheme at the behest of the labor leaders.
The necessity for exposing and blocking this legislation is so manifest
that a COMMITTEE of TEN, representing all the leading engineering societies, the
National Association of Manufacturers, the National Metal Trade Association, the
Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and many local chambers, has been appoint¬
ed to take active steps in opposition. Mr. Henry R. Towns has accepted the Chair¬
manship of this Committee, end I am serving as one of its active members.
As a means of exposing the movement, I plan to present all the facts in
the forthcoming April number of The Engineering Magazine, and Mr. Towno has agreed
to give me a very notable leading article upon the subject.
To supplement the facts which Mr. Towne and I shall present, I especially
desire brief expressions of opinion upon the subject from about twenty-five or thirty
of the ibremost men now in charge of our greatest engineering and mechanical industries
-—the aim being to show Congressmen that the industrial leadership of the country is
a unit ih opposition.
Will you be kind enough, therefore, to write me promptly a brief and pointed
letter, stating the objections which you, as a large employer, see to legislation of
this damaging character! I want to publish your letter in company with some twenty-
five others of like character from the foremost executives and employers in the United
States, and I am very sure that such a publication will prove of great practical val¬
ue ir. opening theqres of Congressmen who have given no study to the subject, and
henoe do not understand it.
i§L
THe Engineering Magazine
X presume you know how the Labor Unions have dominated British in¬
dustry-even to the point of imperiling the nation through lack of war
munitions. Unless American employers now speak out emphatically on such
legislation ss the Tavenner Bill, we may be sure that the labor leaders and
the scheming politicians will make serious t
Very truly yours.
roublefor us.
Editor and Proprietor.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
64th Congress,
1st Session H. R. 8666
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRES EHTATIVES
January 11, 1916
Mr. Tavenner introduced the following bill; whloh was referred to the
Committee oh Labor and ordered to bo printed.
To regulate the method of directing the work of Government employees.
Be in enaoted by the Senate and House of Representatives
ofthe United States of America in Congress assembled.
That it shall be unlawful for any officer, manager, superin¬
tendent, foreman, or other person having charge of the work
of any employee of the United States Government to make
or cause to be made with a stop watch or other time-measuring
device a time study of any job of any such enployee between
the starting and completion thereof, or of the movements of
any such employee while engaged upon such work. No premiums
or bonus or cash reward shall be paid to any employee in ad¬
dition to his regular wages, except for suggestions resulting
in improvement or economy in the operation of any Government
plant.
SEC. 2. That any violations of the provisions of this
Aot shall be deemed a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a
fine of not more than $600 or by imprisonment of not more
than six months, at the discretion of the court.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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&C (&j!sVY\y
t
JOHN A. RUSH
NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT
March. 30,10X6.
Jt
\*
\ <’
Mr .Thomas A.Sdison,
It .ifyerjla.
Dear Sir : -I awaking the liberty of writing you to ask if you would care to
Bay a word concerning the New York Herald- a attitude t oward your inventions
and acconplishments in the years past .The Herald will have an anniversary
number seen and I was asked t o see you. If you ha ve any of your valuable
time to spare and can oonveniertly write a statement for publication X
would be extremely obliged to you.
with deep gratitude for your many past favors, and tr usting you will
have fullmeasure of enjoymeri during the vacation you so richly earned,
I remain, .
Yours respectfully,
National Magazine
31st March 1916
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, New Jersey
My dear Sirs
We onolose herewith rough galley proof of paragraph
prepared by Mr. Chappie flhioh is to appear in the April issue of
the NATIONAL MAGAZINE.
Very
““2^' <?
Editorial Department#
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
□s who appeared at llic hearing of Ihc Naval
‘homos Alva Edison. While many of the
a AinNn the eminent witnesses who appeared at the nearing 01 me ■»»•»
A ffilS was Thomas Alva Edison. While many of the
^questions had to be repeated to him. his keen-witted responses ‘"heated
zsrsi sr'zr:,^ : . .»«
use or the aqvisorj w*vu * “ , . ' , Bulls without furnishing
cquiimtcntand thc^rvicesof expci'ts, the °r corPora*’t n
. six or chth^wceksTor even Inth^ hut
of Orange and his corps of i ^^.stams. . .. - csp0rl5.
One of the messengers outside kept roping to ’ "^n
address — “Is life so dear or peace select "‘'t l, »"dagam to
“^••pS- S&& a refrain of "S^ SusiJs Sewing Shirts
Mr Thomas A.Edlsi
A a you have doulr
the newspapers .Distrii
Attorney Swann .and also the Thompson Committee, oontemplate investigating
the wholesale "wire-tapping" which has been going on in this city for some
years.lt has been learned that within two years.no less than 35o telephones
have been tapped. Legal authorities have told The American that this prac¬
tice is without warrant of law.Mr. Swann himself says "wire-tappivig" is
not legal unless possible crime is involved.The "tapping" during the recent
Charities investigation has been widely exposed.
The Amerioan requests that you allow a reporter to visit you, in
o rder to get a statement of ypur views on the question of this "tapping."
AS you were so closely allied with the ferowth of the telephone to its present"
high standard, your words would carry much weight. If it is not possible for
a reporter to see you personally, could you dictate some statement .that this
paper might have.
Thanking you ill advance for an answer to this communication, I <
New York American
Kindly address R.C.MoCabe
New York American
238 William St.
New York.N.Y.
JOHN A. RUSH
NEWSPAPER CORRESPONDENT
Mr . Mead cw croft ,
Secretary t o Mr .Thomas A. Edison,
-ear Sirt-l'he Slew York herald would like t o get from -r.Ec
on his recent talk with Mr. George Vf. Perkins concerning Co3
camoaign for the Presidency. Gan X see Mr. Edison t omorrar?
X thank you for your many courtesies.
Gratefully yours.
some word
Eoosevelt 1 s
PUBLIC «£M» LEDGER
rr>
. )
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Vest Orange, H.J.
Bear Ur. Edison:- v-- -
lira. Mary Roberts Binehart, who , as you know ,
is one of the most popular '.vomer, writers in the country--if hot
actuallv the most popular - has arranged to report the three
national conventions for the Public ledger Syndicate, and
reports will go into the newspapers representing all shades of
_ ■, -u„i . Q-r tv,rniwVmut the country. She is a warm admirer
- , i when we closed with her the other
. to write to you requesting that you have sent
of you and I'r . Roosevelt,
ionairprogressive Condition. the list of officers and such other
detailed information as may be necessary.
Also, in order to represent correctly the
«+-Htude of the Progressive leaders to the readers of the nation
is rpcessary that Mrs. Binehart have such antecedent knowledge
“iS isfe «“*?=££
in Sewickley?
Mrs. Binehart would go to V.’est Orange to see
= fews-e ssa- ss
elethoning her at Sewickley and arranging for an appointment there.
telephoning her at Sewickley
Cordially and si
leroly y(
iJ-et-u
acU -H-
t
df a *
jsjxsi?* ‘sf
- iu~~< o-e<fW-
Hay 29th. 1916
Ur. Abraham Cahan, Editor,
Jewish Daily Forward,
Forward Building,
Bow York City.
Dear Sir:
Y'.ur favor of the 26th instant to Ur,
Edison ^ a Been received an:', submitted \o him.
He requests rr.c to say. that he will see you any
day at the Laboratory.
1 would suggest that you call me up
in advance of yur coming, and then I shall bo
able to tell you if he will surely be here.
Yours vary truly.
Assistant to Ur. Ed' son.
Who’s Who In HbwYork
June 12,
Mr. Thomas Alva Edison,
Orange, II. J.
Dear Hr. Edison; -
In "bringing out the 7th Edition of
"Who's Who in Hew York" we must again aslc your
oo-operation in order to secure accuracy.
&
\) i'
V
Your biography herewith enclosed is
now three years old. The information therein
contained undoubtedly needs revision and we
should be grateful to you if you will look it
over and make such changes as you think neces¬
sary.
We aim to present in as few words as
possible a biographical sketch of our important
citiaens. Thi3 collection has had in the past
a real value as a book of reference and un¬
questionably this value increases with each
edition.
By supplying this information you
incur no obligation to become a subscriber and
you will not be :approached by solicitors.
This is a limited edition and no
reprints will be made. Therefore if you desire
to subscribe, the early receipt of your order
on the enclosed form will assure you a copy.
Sincerely yours,
Editor.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
WHO'S WHO PUBLICATIONS, INC .
IIS BROADWAY, NEW YORK
YMENT FOR SAME.
DEPARTMENTS
HOUSEHOLD
June 19, 1916
Mr. William H. Meadoworcft,
o/o Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, j|.J.
Dear Mr . Meadoworoft: I
Do you think that I oould get Mr. Edison to aut¬
ograph one of hiB photographs for me to add to my collec¬
tion? If you think that he would be so kind as to do thin
and will toll me where I can get the best photograph, I
shall send it down to you.
Very sincerely yours.
Samuel Orowther/C ♦
£4*S**., 7~, A, —
EDITORIAL ROOMS
How Yorlc, June 21, 1916.
<
jj!e. Thos. A. Hdison,
Orange ,
Hew Jersey-:'
Bear !Ir. Adison,/
ehe ’.Vor-ld wi shes to thank yon tov the interest
Cc
you ha
r- Ao
a to^-the Statue of
srty nivinination
Hu-u /sad for yonr .contribution.
/ Hay we not ask you to write
short statement
,4 publication giving your approval of the movement? ^
The following suggestion might he of some use in „ritin0
this statement:
\ consider it an honor to contribute my dona 'ion
to the Statue of lib r;y Illumination fund. 2very Amer¬
ican should rally to the support of such a Periotic
»uent . liberty enshrouded in darkness every night
can never he the inspiration she should he, I e„rn=.wt
Z hope that every successful attend the .Vorld's cam¬
paign for the $30,000 fund. '
Very truly yours,
ATLSWOBTE
The men who dig and twelve into the mysteries of science
must make many sacrifices in exchange for the great privelege.
But no man who does not love the work will dig and delve at it,
and tiius the reward of most investigators comes much as come
the satisfactions of a mother's love, not in material returns
hut in sentimental gains. Again, who knows so well as the suc¬
cessful investigative scientist the glowing pride which only
can arise from having definitely added to the sum of the
vra rid' 3 knowledge?
It must seem, for these andjather reasons, that Jonas Wal¬
ter Ayls worth, who die^recently in his' Hew Jersey home, the
bed on which he passed away situate not far from the little
laboratory of big results wherein he worked his wonders, must
have lived a fuller, gladder life than most men.
For he had not lived and worked, he had not delved and
dtg in vain. Few men’s memories have been honored by the grief
of more associates known widely in the world of science than
now genuinely mourn his passing..-
This is to be no set and stolid biographical account of
Aylsworth. It has no ambition other than to give £0. those who
care to real it some impressions- of tlie man gathered by a lay¬
man in conversation with a group of friends who taieu and loved
him. It is the Edison group which talked of him to me — such
2 Aylsowrth
men as the Sreat\yentor,,hli^, Meadowcroft one^Hutchison.
I wish I might feel 'certain that when-clpass alongthree men
as able and as qualified to' judge will speak' as well of me!
[lylsworth. was bom in the last days of December, 1868,
an.d died June 7th, of this year, 1916, midway between his for¬
ty-seventh and forty-eighth birthday. Hot very frequently do
we encounter records of so few years which have been so full.
His was; not a ripe old age, but .an amazingly large p»p5rE3^
if its Lments were productive. The- world owes nrnch to_the
mere fact that Aylsvrarth lived.
: Like thousands of successful Americans he had to struggle
hard for all his priveleges of production. Thirsting xor
knowledge he did not grudge the price of effort which it cost.
Ho silver-spoon was in his mouth when he was bom, no velvet
fingered Pate smoothed obstacles from his life’s path in youth
or eatly manhood. But-stru^Ung never meant' discouragement
to him. /setback; U
with-jW-^esgtlf,- menta ' ^psycholtgical. as pfcr>i cal exer¬
cise deve lo.pes human muscles.
Attica, Indiana, was his birth-place, end he went to school
there, finding in the high-school course sound preparation for
Ids later work in Perdue University, tbat-small,-^ res-water.".
which has produced- BQ-many- really celebrated Anv
ericans, including many- members -of our-most eminent modern lit-
3 Aylsworth
erary group.
-■ /-
No.tne*sn-&is early search for knowledge was--witheuVits~
-‘I it
disappointments. A year after ke beget*, his college education
was brought to and end by the death of his father, which nec-
cessitated the commencement of the younsgter's work at bre&d-
uirmiig '. And, perhaps , asnften proves to_be the. case, ^ ■
g».-»m-t^;p^Tn^']rpp»Arbppy f.ZBXtt&t feBnzkgg zb SEBxtrUB ZX 23C ZXXZXX AatS
really was kinder then she seemed to be, for the termination of
his college fcLfe at just that time thrust him sbruptly.-face .to.
face.. with\ the< real opportunity which he-advantaged-of-to-his-ovni
benefit and that- of- ell the world, making- him famous at an age
much less than that at which-most men begin-to f asMon-a-success-
att-all worth-while.. It seems to he.ve been the mere chance, of
neccessity which thrust. Atlsworth into electricity. But-who
JwiewS?'— At-aiy-rate ^is first work was with Mr. Edison,.-. ■ -
For three years he worked with the greatest of the world’s
i nventors at the Edison Chemical Laboratory, snd during every
moment of that period he increased the worthiness of the record
he was doomed to finish all too soon.
^^a-~^^y4j^^tart--evetydne 'ih 'the int'ense'-establ'ishment
was -very- fond'- of "him," and, - better; 'everyone - re spe.c4d- him,
which was/Jar more- iE^e'SSiys,~fdrv'to‘''gairr’respect' f rom men like
-Edisoir'and those" around him-one"H0!Bt'-be-8n..ac.tual.>,prpducer,
Aylswwrth was a born experimenter. Exceedingly ciuiet,
very unassuming, continually thoughtful, he achieved tr»iy won-
4 Ayls worth
derful results with out sensationalism. ProiridiB-ve¥y start
it-TfSB-tu-i-te-eiri'dent— bhat-he-never -would-be-- a~boaster.‘ ^It-is
probable that he would have gained through- some - additional- . self-
appre ciation. But no man could have a better fault... than. that. ....
His worlds methods/were i.eculiarly hisj own. i Sometime?,
even to thosej ;vdio 1 mew him best.W who were most familiar
with the problems which confronted him, it seemed that he was
laboring along lines certain to be; fruitless, but his splendid
record, which ‘now is being totalled up, a\ records are, after
those who make them have phased on, shows that this occurred
less frequently with Aylsworth than with most men.
The reason for this Vrequent\rcongN impression-is not . far
to seek call in it lies the evidence \of one’ of his unique char¬
acteristics. Not infrequently he aimed for the purely nega¬
tive during lorg periods of experimentation, and-bhe-ability
■ very rare which, pemit their owners -to strive ;cbnstantly-fer
“S95g=BSXds«Brto disprove the usefulness of an idea or material,
i - w-hinh maatuhe-done ♦ Thh, process of elimination,
highly valuable as it is, is the most tiresome and discouraging
of scientific processes. In conversation but a few days after
Mr. Aylsworth* s death Mr. Edsion remarked:
"An experienced explorer may select a path, when he seeks
to climb a mountain, the choice of which will much astonish a
5 Aylsv/orth
mere amateur. He may taken® that- which seems to lead
him downward and around, rs.ther than upward and acioss, where:
he desires to go, for it very well may he of vital value to
him to discover what roads to not go to the top. That knowledgf
more then anything other, will guard him and his successors
from mistakes in future Pursuit of what, to the inexpert eye,
may seem to he a hopeless route, may lead to the discovery of a
short cut. The explorer who proceeds successfully in this way
may he said to have the instinct of the searcher’s task. Mr.
Aylsworth was one of the truly great explorers isxMasx of new
land in the world of jnrrfrmg chemical experiment, and his suc¬
cess was largely due to this unusual quality.
"By following the methods which 'with him were habitual,
tkat~4s., hy examining every phase, not merely those which seemed
most likely to lead to quick solution of the problem which he
in mind, he secured himself against eventual failure hhen
success was near at hand — an experience which most investi¬
gators know, now and then, to theirinfinite distress.
"In going from the bottom of the mountain, from A to B,
he learned not onljrWery path IvhjLch lei there, hut learned
jarned ev-
■iorkei i]
ery jpath which did In pasS^g on |rom B to C he \L. -
the lame why, and wal Vs thorough In Ms study of the jiigjier
reaches intervening before reaching D. Thus, when he had fin¬
ished, l and stood triumphantly upon the summit, he not only knew
just
(^ylsworth
how to get there, but he knewNfWi^ as well how not to get
there/ Khowirg the 'Vaerlts of .the right paths he also knew the
dangers of the wrong ones.^He not only unequipped with knowl-
edge v/hiciT'&s-sured success, but "lie was equipped with kao-ladge
which safeguarded him against disaster in the future. When
Aylsworth once accomplished a result he always could duplicate
it an indefinite number of times, and always could do this by
. rr" i t h S*1 a- c - (
along the lines of really least resistance*. "
l (tu£z L$u-& ?i
6 His work as an experimenter in the Edison Laboratory oc-
copied .Mm nine years. At the end of that.period he began
w-ork for himself, continuing his brilliant record, but, pres¬
ently, handicapped by kidney trouble.
Ten years ago he rejoined the Edison forces, first recu-
pe ratirg for a period at Mr. Edison's own place in Florida.
"C-o down there", said the great inventor, "end live on a milk
diet. That will fix you up".
Unquestionably this pr ocedure did prolong the life of Mr.
Aylsworth, but after the first break-down it was neccessary
that he should exercise the greatest care.^ was compelled
to abandon Ma^sition-as-en active
■tQ-'-U-vLjl. Wvim-w 1
any-ottieig-foxces^tiieu^^he-retai^-his^Edison^onne ction *
Pfceer**^'' t
iri-a^iisulting^^^oity, establishing ^little laboratory back
of his home at Glen Bidgea. In that tiny place he did much
work of very real importance.
'Aylsowrth
Btaas=aa»e three things whack M^Aylsworth never learned
to do — he never learaed>td\M^ drink at all, he never learned
to smoke excessively and he never 'learned how to speak ill of
anyolieT The first two conservatisms lost him no real friends--
and the him many. Indeed it may /be said that
this perfectly developed quality was niotably responsible for
; / j
the fact that he was universally beloved by those jho knew him.
There have bebn few /men with whom Mr. Edison jias been a^le
to work more succiessfulljr.or with greater personal pleasure
from the close contact which co-work brings about between twb\
Wheneeer Mr. Edison found himself confronted by a task in¬
volving chemistry in a high degree end requiring the pttention
l L
of a directing mind for each one of the twenty-four hors, he
was rather sure to send for Mr. Aylsworth, feon-Mrr-AylswortttJ-s
se r-v4ce s-were^of --truly-great-ijiiportanaej, for he, too, could do
with comparatively little sleep, (an-ability for which Mr. Edi-
Son-is famous) and tills permitted him to watch events with a
ffaET
minute and perfect understanding.wMle-Mr._Edison::snatched^^ .
Wtn-tA. Im-r CA 4.1
sligjit-re st. he-grants himself on-such-occaaione, eft the same
^ L.
time Wflip-i-rg in many other definite ways. For example, while
(xMU StPirot -v*A «•£
Mr. Edison, himself ^senducted the principle investigations,
•fl.c. tvu-A U i./Q tv^u. tu'T-WW. /v. Iua Ac \
M§- Aylswwrth f r e quently ^ OTqd-o-rad. side lines, being ready,
when Mr. Edison required it, with absolutely authentic data
lyls worth
upon which Mr. Edison not only could proceed hut frag; upon which
he frequently could base final conclusions. It is doubtful if
two men ever worked together more harmoniously in chemical ex¬
perimentation than did these two . v
Millay Reese Hutchison paid jk%a-i4ttle- tribute at the
Edison Laboratory. in a conversation which occurred a day or
two after ke his death was reorded. Said Mr. Hutchison:
"I became acquainted with him in 1901**, -e-aid-Mr-r-Hutohi — -
sso^when I was at work for Mr. Edison upon the acousticon, an
instrument designed to aid the deaf. Mr. Edison was very busy
and when I went to him doe information about carbon lie refeered
q\H "it!* aMj. ■Stlo-Hi k'C ^ 7
me to Mr. Aylsourth.ll I was amazed by the minuteness of feis
h
knowledge and scarcely less so by his willingness to help me.
I believe he felt, in helping men (and many others who went to
him, as I did, after exactly accurate information) that in
\
helpirg me Jie helped tlie cause of science. Hncfcx T]ie conscious-
ness that lie was doing that was very often quite enough reward
Im. Zdu j\ aOr o)
for excessively hard and perfect v;orW^. But by this I do not
mean to indicate tliat he ever was unready, 'to help anyone, no'
tiu-tA-o-O-uj ^ f'lu
matter what their difficulty miglit be. The mere ^f act that any-
one was troubled, or even seriously puzzled, was enough .fox”
<D rui|
Ayl swo rth,--whe n-he - ~f o und-it -o utO Forthwith he would drop his
own work, quite regardless, even though he might never hare jet ,
before the man for whom he did the service. To Jonas Waite
Aylsworth, in an extraordinary degree^ service was \^tspwn re-
vmr/1 Vn-in+. whichVraade him''3!!iii0Xraflat ioyfvll-y. was/^w\con-
ward. ^That whichWde him'si!iiie''"rx)^t joyfully. Yfas/fee\con-
sciousnessHjiafc lie lihchmade another aiai^e . During the fohr or
five years of our 'close association I found him truly wonder-
"He was one of the finest characters I ever carae in con-
tact with", said <Mr. Edison,^ "Not only was he a fine experimen-
ter^but lie was intellectually lofty and absolutely honest. I
wnyr gyyYTrx‘ declare that all these qualities made hiia one of
the best empirical experimenters I ever have knovai, and he was
as hard working as he was able. For years he worked eighteen
hours a day.
"During the last few years, when his laboratory was behind
Ms wmlhouse, thil fact eneabled him to devote moye hours than
ever to experimentation and these (hours were fruitful. Among
other of their achievnents was the discovery of' a process for
the making of Condensite, -and-BTcbmpaH^novT is in existence
which purposes-to "supply 'this product to many industries.
"He al sc/ perfected aM^coamercialized-'CIilorimteJiydro-
carb'on waxes . "
Here Mr. Edisonsgave an interesting sidelight upon tha
character of this great the mist and on the. characteristics nec-
c essary to success many sc ientif icNf ields .
"Aylsworth worked with me for years", said he, "upon the
j^Aylsworth
task of perfecting my alkaline storage battery. There are so
many splendid things to record about this man that it is not
unfair to state, in this connection, that here he found it quite
impossible to keep on with the job because of the continuous
disappointments^ Perseverence through an indefinite period,,,
marked by the use of every method which e®d4nac±ly had brought
Vw
Wft. success, yet without the slightest sign of winning, was too
A
much for him. It dashed his spiiiits and impaired his working
capacity. It was this that made it neccessary for him to
~'qui^\ But he didn’t seek a task involving slighter effort. It
was not hard work that galled him, it was work which seemed to
Rafter this experience 1
be entirely hopeless.
took up and carried through to a successful conclusion his
experiments with Condensitefjln consider!^ this episode it
physical strength
must .be remembered,.. also, that Ayl'esworth's- stxasigfcbxassrmtazrz
Mr.njBnr never great enou^i,.to/force his body, into keeping step
with his alert, ambitious- mind1. I-t-.wa3. more.. his. .nda±r body than
\
which balked at. months of utterly resultless labor.
- . | . ■ . / . )
le it impossible for him 'to take my point of- view tha£/
when a/chemical e:g>|rimenter getbywhere there ls_absol^tely not
the slightest hope ^e-has "struck tliht Bpot at whidythings oxe
ab s olutely ”~sur e to happen.
"if* Like all men who delve into the mysteries of chemis¬
try, as he did, he met withxxssdks many accidents, chiefly of
m Aylsowrth
an explosive nature. He was as quiet after an explosion as he
was before onef^One day, after one of those episodes to which
tAxu^ota/ ffu ‘<t (C# K t-L \
' experimenters tire subject, poor Ayleaworth was afc=3? in and I
was pretty well bailed up. We had been working with J
Acrolin and ,^4^“IHmd-onlT^ache^Tir“teB^“Bt^ , he really
had had a close call, being at the far end of the laboratory^
.wtefto I was near the door at the time the glycerine cau^it fire
in the 9c, a. t <»
(X.O. U Nte-'T 1-fr im i aafttii.. “■‘■'t--®
" »I got hold of him as soon as I oould^and, out in the
X&u-jz A A
yaMrd, we kept him on the run for aAtlme. E-trwas-a-close-coll
jtfii tciblCC" t'-VjM
for-him but he took it. as quietly as if it had been on everyday
a r ,
occurrence. i
"He seemed to be^entirely free from all objectionable
characteristics and\i^liad as many-actaiirable ones as any roan I
erer knew! He was not 'concieted, he was not jlealous, he- was
strictly truthful. He-Tras~^an. His was a sporadic case of
\ 'Qll
entire decency. They don’t happen very often^He left behind
a lit ;le monty^but not much. Such a man never can hope to cope
with average, latter-day commercial conditions. But if he left
behind him but a little money, he left behind him a great for¬
tune in the respect and admiration of his fellow men".
He was one of Mr. Edison’s assistants in the experiments
which led to the perfection of the Huoro scope. Almost every
possible combination of available chemicals had been tried,
each being kept in a small, fine-necked bottle. Finally Zr.
Edison jumped up with joy, one ’.’forked so well. But thai came a
shock. When he looked closely at the bottle to see just, what
it was it developed that the label had been last too much
fyM U V \ I 1X0
blurretf^to make it possible to read it. But this did not
phase Aylsworth. He began his habitual work of elimination and
soon identified the contents of the labelless bottle."
( His first work at the Edison Laboratory was in connection
with the carbon filament for electric lamps. At that time bam¬
boo was being used. Mr. ]
t Aylsworth perfonued for Mr.
Edison many of the experiments leading to improved carbonizo/-
tion, and, later, to the squirted filament.
He then begm^theaan^cts^egef filaments, working for
himsel't. He wab much amused hy t!ie gossip of the neighborhood
AM- _ *— ’tvC ■ ■- .
AwhitSh saw great quantities oL-mterial go irg^te^the'd^ttle’-fnc-
izovy and noted..tlmt 4As daily product was taken-fepea-it? in a
smaM basket.
He\was\alsotconcemed ’with the development of thdmolded
phonographic record. Previously singers and musicians had
tozs^taafxMBamiBxafztjaazzxzwarkxbsiJ^xzxzxzxzxzxziz
The molded phonographic record, which permits the reproduction
for an i’ ndef inite numbed-' of times, of the first, or master
record, has marked a great advance.
Ayls worth frequently had much quiet fun out of the effect
’ (l) " fa'tf
of scientific mysteries on the lay mind. 7 when tlie fluoro scope
•was first perfected a good deal of amazement was expressed at
the laboratory when a key was shown through a thick Bible, but
presently Aylsworth produced a box, and, to the astonishment of
the obserrers who applied the fluoroscope to it, its reTealed
contents -walked about. It was uncanny. Ne-one-gueasad.at,
what it was. It was a kitten, but, of course, nothing but its
skeleton was risinle thorough the fluoroscope.
V(h- %l'iu
^principle achieTraents/of this expert inrestiga^
iltappitch- isyoae-ef-tke mater¬
ials used for the procfuctitn of the-Bdison plpiographie- record^
tr / * / . . / . 64*0 y j /■■"■/
asxHihi-oh is extensiYely.used in electric insulation; especially
7 / • a / i /
0 n-> large transformers, -where it has proTed to be thdmost per¬
fect of-fcastdieWsg-aa*^ 1 v"
In his youth the marrels of the chemist's art inroressed
tor viaa-ths^par-fection-of -Gone
' I J
(.1. -P^v. +".->0 AvwQnrvk-iAn ,
U>/*u» iU a ffi-H., t(S- £'//<-
,
qaa rery greatly. One day^he ran across a certain material
which would turn black under gas. He figured out a means by
which tliis property could he used in tha^pe^e-Haasae of a stage
^«/y L f/f
trick which he felt waaaraura=to mystify the public. The magic¬
ian, exhibiting to the audience a perfec tly white man or boy,
would be able, he assumed, to qare a wand and apparently make
the white man turn into a negro. The wand, of course, would
\ty&AL.Lb
really be a pipe from which the gas wag*. emitted and blown a
J Jiylsworth
•Hie prepared sldn surface.
He made an appointment, with Herman, the magician, and
-v..m ■'-<*
started to keep it. with a hag, containii^^ulphuretted hydrogen,,.
beneath-Ma-aim. Thehag was not quite tight andtn the way he
iuy x-tuX.tM.«J W-uuJ d « < ? ^ h
S^aek, to the immense distress of fellow travellers^ who left
his neighborhood wheneer they could do so., and as quickly as
they could.
It was arranged before hand that his companion (Mr. Meadow-
'$*1* I' fH*d i Uu ^LHl<i «-r t %
.croft, of the Edison forces) was to rub the preparation on
his hand, after they had come into the.resance of the great
magician and were
once would turn c
lighted and the
ready for the demonstration. The hand at
VUiA‘\d* 4
:oal black, Herman Y/ould be amazed and de-
fortunes of both aspiring geniuses^ would be ‘ ’
-immediatel-y-mada.
It dicLt work out ve£y -wSi, however, for the bag, whan
pressed, temedifitsiy burst^and filled tlie theatre with anfl inr
describably Tile odor which every effort could not ge-t-entirely.
out- oi^hsrttorture before the evening performance^ Q
Aylsworth immediately disappeared.^ fan M-s-companion,
getting- to-the- street at a speed a little -less 'than- his,- looked-
about for -him- he could not - find him. Angry ^ the discomfited
as s i s t anaC* at-tiie_graat-transf o rmat ion-tr i ck started for the
ferry. Presently he saw a figure sitting wetiS* on a curbstone,
laughing w43^y. It waB Aylsworth.
" DAILY CHRONICLE”
FACTS
FIGURES
October, 1915
NET SALES of the
“CHRONICLE" alone
900,000 DAILY
EXCEEDS COMBINED Net
Sales of ALL the LONDON
including
“THE TIMES"
“DAILY TELEGRAPH"
“MORNING POST"
“STANDARD"
“DAILY GRAPHIC"
“MORNING ADVERTISER*
“DAILY
CHRONICLE”
RATES:
Commercial, &c. . . $140
Same Space, less Net
Sales in Morning Papers
referred to, costs you . $880
$680 or $560 in the three
'lOW •
illit irt !v.„ xvA
,llr. ~ ::: tr.3 ijiornin-
••• .tior V: :n
nine or els’., /.M
Memorandum from George
French, New York. Sheet No.
Gian Ridge, H. J.
July 17, 1916
Dear Ur. Edison
Ky friend, the editor of The Designer, i3 having prepared inter¬
views with a number of notable men, such as Ur. Vail, Ur. Yanderlip,
touching upon the problems of the young.
The Designer is one of the Butterick journals with an enormous
circulation, growing more and more enormous all the time. The editor
wishes to interest men in it.
I have written something which I wish you would read, and if I
have sensed your ideaB rightly authorize me to send it in for pub¬
lication. Make such changes as you desire. Or if it is not to your
liking, let me know that.
I hope you will indulge us in this; and I am
SHAW PUBLISHING COMPANY
Webster Building, CHICAGO
Sept. 7, 1916
3ept. 7, mib.
(id
Chorea a Edison laboratory,/ V / •
Orange, II. J. / * fy
. I
| — ~ -
Attention - Superintendent. /■
Chere has been! brought to our attention )
/ recently several press abtloeg-concerning a new /
' and late invention under the direction of Choreas f
Edison for a substitute for gp'sblilfe- t_o cost ^
^^approximately 5 5! per gallon.11 ' V ' A V ^
1 would appreciate your furnishing me
an authentic report to the same which might
afford our publishing in verbatim in our October
issue and special convention issue of the Oil
Hews.
Chanicing you for any news that you may
give me, and trusting that I may have the pleasure
of an early reply, we are
ssistant Hews
September 18th. 191G
Press Illustrating Service, Inc.,
142 V.cot f,Sr<3 Gtroot,
he’.’; fork City.
Pentloncai: ■ , .
lour favor of the 14th instant has been received .
;r» SCison hues’ one to i.aehingjion this afternoon- to .attend
a meeting of .the ».ava} consulting Board, and wishes us to cay
that after his return he will give your photographer, a few
•r.inutos as requested* Ss: thinks it would be v.ell now to
leave it until next wee.'. . .
ht tho beginning of next week, you might communicate
with me.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to lir . hdiluon.
Mr. Thos. A. Edison
w
Chicago, Sept. 14, 1916.
Orange, W.J.
Dear sir; -
- <
,p«« wrfcwro y***~~\
Lm. (— ~ ,,
«. Vtr •* a—
I have been ashet^t^ppn^ihute aij, ayticlef foJ^ a musical
aD^o^'tl) contribute an, article . “ »
puhlioation with refMenoe to jhonogra^ je^or4| for the jiolinj ^
the first experiments aria lata pertaining thereto-.
Us a resident violin soloist ij^Soston some SO years ago,
I played into a phonograf at the reprint of your agent - Mr.
Wangemann - and the' music I play^wasjpant. of the unaccompanied
Chaconne hy. Baoju . It was intended that the record should he
reproduced at the World’s Exhibition in Paris and also he
brought to Germany for Bismarck's attention - so the agent told
me. I don't recall- that- this was ever done,but as the first
phonograf trial*' (for the. violin) is of importance in my article
I should greatly appreciate any details as officially reoorded
by you on this subject.
With every assurance of my highest esteem, I am
Yours sincerely -
611 Puller tom Parkway, - Chicago, Ill.
Sept. 29, 1916
Hr. Thoms Edison, ■
Orange , N.J.
Sirr
If you had only forty-eight hoars more to live,
how would you spend them!?
The Illustrated Sunday Magazine £a~- asking a
few prominent persons to answer that question for their
two and a half million readers.
We should he delighted to have yon answer
this In any mood you desire— humorous, serious or gay.
Very truly yours.
DC-P
ox
We have at hand your letter of September 26'
and note that you etate that the Harvester Co.'s truck L
was used for the first two days of the trip only, and the
White truck was used thereafter.
The photograph which wehave at hand appears X1
to he a Krebs motor truck. Was any KrehsTruCk used?
We had no knowledge that a White truck was used, and would ^
be pleased therefore if you could furnish us with any V vv
information, clipping or other data which would tell us A
something about the part which the trucks played in \
the trip, including what work they did, where they ran,
what they carried, and in short a brief summary of the
Yours very truly.
MOKNINO
EWNINO
THE
The following inauiry has been referred to the “ Answers Column of
_
Ifw-
If you can furnish this information, I shall appreciate it oery much.
Gratefully yours, J
Editor, "Answers.”
The New West Magazine
“‘BUILDING THE U'EST"
211 WALKER BANK BUILDING
SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH
October 9, 1916
Thomas A. Edison
East Orange, New Jersey
%
_<LrAC
V- •
Dear Sir: cooperation with the Snciety for Electrical Development
we are issuing a special number of The New West Magazine announcing ^
the event in the West--officially .
V/e are sending a litter eimilar to the attached carbon to
the presidents of eleven state federations of women s clutrff; o
president of the eneral Federation of Women's clubs, ana to the
governors of the eleven western states, asking thiir endorsement of
the Week.
You will note in the latter part of the letter to the club
women we are asking them "to honor Edison in some way for his
inventions."
Inasmuch as several thousand of the club women visited your
home last Spring during the Biennial, and as this magazirie-~is the
W^st_ern8e3cponeht~Of-the club-women , we ^r^^d^^e^dteal^eof
of the country.
If vou care to say a few words to them, we will be very
glad to publish your message— and it will be most tricll^IeM1”
Irousing them to the observance of America's Electrical Week.
Vie are sending you a copy of The New West Magazine for
December, 1915, which quotes you on page 36, also a recent number o
the magazine . Very
'Trua .
Editor Western Club Woman Department
The New West Magazine
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
October V, 1/10
President Abl-vo"
■ illcox, Arizona
" America's Electrical 'eck" v/i.ll be observed
2 to 1, and it will bo undoubtedly tiie biggest national event
kind ever held. the move-tent started last year v;itl: •• .leetri<
perity Week" and yon v/ill remember how widespread that sus. i
ileon wrote a letter of endorsement, while '.elisor., -teiamotz
leadora in tho electrical industry are devoting their energies
ing thin annual ov ont a big success.
;c ember
The -iocioty for Electrical Development, with headquarters at s:ew
York, in directing the celebration, and it has arranged with five national
magazines to issue opocial editions announcing the Week. these publi¬
cations are: Collier's, Leslie's, Scientific American, .icribnor'o and
the iiew ~eat "agazine.
the first four are Kew iork publics' ions, leaving the now '-eat
Magazine alone in the western field.
The '.astern journals will issue their special numbers jur.t prior
to the week of the celebration, while the Mow West Vagazino will make
the announcement in the Vioveraber number, which 7/ill appear about three
weeks before the event. This puts no liov/ test rfagazino TI:'. in the
field, so that tho 'test will have the honor of making tin; IT. t offi¬
cial announcement.
Ao tho '.Vest is tho no ie of big elootrieal development- -tho country
whore the hid things are done— we want to make this number truly repre¬
sentative and .a credit to the '.Vest.
the Society for Electrical -Development has given Vne hew '..'out ; mag¬
azine the privilege of reproducing tho "1,000 prize poster in colors
on the front cover, while the articles, stories and illustrations will
be In goly on things electrical.
v.'e arc asking the presidents of tho state federations of women's
clubs west of the Hocky mountains to send ue a letter voicing thir ap¬
proval of America's Electrical Week. lira. Josiah Evans Gowlcs, presi¬
dent of the General federation of vvoinen'u Clubs, 1b also askea to give
her endorsement, the governors of these eleven states are asked to
give their oflfioial recognition, Those letters, with pictures of the
writers, will be published in the November number of Tho hew '.Vest
Magazine.
Will you send ub a letter along these lines, mailing it not
later than October 15. Also send a photograph of yourself.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Urn . HA'.'organ-
•2
V/e have asked the Liociety for Electrical Development to send
vou the "Story of the Week," which telle about Electrical Prosperity
v/eek last year, and also contains President Wilson's letter oi en¬
dorsement ,
V/ in you aBk your clubs to include some observance of the
Week in their program on the dates mentioned? Ask them to honor
Edison in some way for his electrical inventions.
V/e are sending you under separate cover a copy of the Decem¬
ber number of The New Vest Magazine, which tells about Electrical
Prosperity V/e ok last year. Your especial attention is called to
page 36 where Edison is quoted.
Por the club progra 1 it is suggested that they might have a
talk on electricity by the manager of the local power company, tell¬
ing what electricity has done for tile farm and home, electric
luncheons, electric dinners and electric dances may also be featured.
e will also appreciate the favor if you will send v
of your year book for our files.
Thanking you for your cooperation, I am
ainoerely
copy
l • V,
atetht’TOO
THE GOVERNMENT CLERK PUBLISHING CO.
723 TENTH STREET NORTHWEST
WASHINGTON, D, C.
October 12,* 1916.
JL
ubtvi ,ou *rmdeCS&\ the govern-C,
liy dear Ur. Edison:
ITo doubtVyou ar£sftEware' that the govern-^
ment service in Washington is clogged with a large number?5''
of superannuated employes who are really unable to do ef¬
ficient work and are holding their positions through poA^
litical influence or through the kindness of their superior
officers. The time has arrived when something must be
done toulfdviate this condition, as the employing officers
are unable to obtain satisfactory results with this "dead
wood" on their hands.
Since the argument has been used by con¬
gressmen that the folks "back home" are opposed to any re¬
tirement measure effecting government eraployos, may I ask
you to state in writing your opinion on this subject. I
have already heard from a large number of prominont men
throughout the country, and without exception, they agree
that it would be an economic proposition for the government
to put these aged employes on a small service annuity -
simply enough to keep the wolf from the door.
I shall anticipate the pleasure of an
early reply from you on this subject.
Yours very truly,
October IS, 1016.
Ur.' Charles V>. Price, President,
Electrical Review and Y/ostorn Electrician,
10 Park Bow, lien York City.
!,ly dear Ur. Price:
In accordance with our telephone con¬
versation this norain.-, I am onclosijig you a briof inter¬
view with iir. Edison, which I trust will he satisfactory
for your purpose.
tilth kindest regards, I remain ,
Yours very truly.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
A representative of the Electrical Keview and Western
Electrician called on ac. Edison a few days ago at Orange and
was ushered into his Chemical laboratory whore he found him
busily engaged in the manipulation of various chemical ezporiments, .
Mr. Edison looked hale and hearty and was moving about in the
alertness of a young man.
After a cordial greeting Mr. Edison extended a dye-
stainod hand to the visitor, who Qfferod his congratulations^
on the forthcoming thirty-oovonth Anniversary of the °£_.n,,n
tho Incandoscent lamp, and asked him if ho found any time nowadays
to work on lamps, "ilo , said Mr. Edison, I an a Chemist now.
Ever sinoo the^eg inning of the War, 1 havo been trying to holp
out American industries ky furnishing some chemicals that wore
badly noodod hy tho country, and my ton Chemical plants, togc^uei
with tho chemistry and technique of the Disc Ehonograpli plant
and a fow other things keep mo protty hucy. Shat does not pro-
vont mo from keeping track of the growth of the incandoocant
lamp business , which through tho energies of tho hunch of livo-
. wlros connected with it has grown to bo simply marvelous
I3r. Edison was asked what further, d ovolopneA^ib®
could foroseo in tho incandeocont lamp. Ho replied ' Eh-', .a
too hard hard a nut for me to orack off-hand, but I" . ohinii
the ond of this development is in sight yet, and x would not
he surprised to see a hundred Or more standard lamps to tne
Horse-power' brought out yet” *
She visitor expressed tho hope that Mr. Edison would
soe many more Anniversaries of October 21st, to which he replied,
"I am ospocting to see fiftoen or twenty more at any r&u0* and
fcope a lot of the- 'old hoys’ will trail along. Give them my
good wishes".
The New West Magazine
"WILDING THE WEST"
1211 WALKER BANK BUILDING
dm, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH in tho
October 18, 1916
Mr. Thomas A. Edisor
Orange, New Jersey
Attached is copy o£ the resolution passed last week by
the Idaho State Federation of Women s clubs, in re America s
Electrical Week, in which your name is especially mentioned.
The same resolution will be introduced this week at the
Utah Federation meeting.
We aie also enclosing proof of the November cover of The
New West Magazine.
Would also call your attention to our letter of October 9,
in which we asked for a picture of Mrs. Hison and your home for
publication in this number, together with a few words of greeting
from you to the club women of the West . If you have not already
ldoked after this, will you do so as early as possible. We must
go to press in October.
It may interest you further to know that the Idaho Federation
met in Bert PerrinA's home town. Twin Falls.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Idaho Club Women Endorse America's Electrical W&ek
At the sixth biennial meeting of the Idaho State Federation
of Women's Clubs held at Twin Falls October 10th to 14th, the
following resolution was unanimously adopted:
A RESOLUTION
Be it resolved: That, Whereas, a nation-wide celebration
of America's Electrical Week haB been set for December 2 to 9,
1916, in whioh all the people of the United States are asked to
participate, and
Whereas, Electricity is bettering life j
ities by reducing toil, thereby raising men am
sphere of activity, and
Whereas, the West is the home of big electrical development—
where the greatest progress has been made, and
Whereas, Electricity has done so much to lighten the labor of
women, now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED, that we, the Idaho State Federation of
Women's Clubs, in convention assembled, do hereby set aside the
week of December 2 to 9, 1916, for the observance in some manner
of America's Electrical Week, and we urge upon the members of the
Federation that they participate by so arranging theirolubpro-
grams that week to include Electricity as one of the subjects to
be considered, and pay tribute to Thomas A. Edison.
The Idaho State Federation of Women's Clubs has a membership
of 75 clubB with a total of about 6,000 members.
DRY GOODS ECONOMIST
381 WEST TllIIlTY-NINTH STREET
NKW YORK.
October 20th, 1916.
c—£"' ■;o"c-'
W £^< :f'V
Mr. Moore,
o/o Edison Co.,
Vfest Orange, N. J.
Ity dear Mr. Moore:- ^ ^ ^ _
ym, .yin no doubt be surprised to hear from me, but ^our
pleasant °f
so interesting, I ■*»“«*«“!* ^ z ^Tvery much interested
producing. Jr-'Y ^ ^ L ' %
I wonder if you'iould help me to get an ^arview wlth ^
“"•Si A* *££ age ‘ZSfZSk “o^vft^honor of ^
wonderful men of the age. and Interview
a personal interview ^hta. No^that I* ^ ^ ^
for publication, butmeraly ^ ^ the talking machine and
of the workings of his new “rin® to your attention the
ES
stores.
I am sending you under separate oover a copy of tha
iesuaa°of our paper.
Awaiting your favor, I remain.
WAW/JIE.
EHC.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHWIENT/ENCLOSURE]
Points in the Handling of Talking Machines
No Advantage in Cutting Prices — Effect of Manufacturers’ Restrictions on Retail Selling
—Important Facts to Consider in the Choice of Machines— Weigh Their Merits Carefully
The talking-machine business is still
young — so young that it has not yet out¬
lived the age of “growing pains.”
Hence, there are opportunities for big
sales and profits for the dealer, just as
there always are in any new and thriving
line.
Of course, there is more risk in the
business than in one that has reached the
staple stage, and more thought must be
given to the department now than may be
necessary later. But the opportunities of¬
fered are so great that the risk and effort
are well worth while.
One of the “growing pains” of the talk¬
ing-machine business is the question
whether or not the retailer shall adhere
to the retail price fixed bv the manufac-
Don’t Cut Prices
For the present, at least, there seems
to be no sound reason for price cutting.
The talking machine is an easy-payment
rather than a cash business. The people
who buy these machines seldom want to
pay down $50 or $100. Even people with
ample bank accounts buy more readily on
the partial-payment plan.
It has been amply demonstrated that
when the customer is not paying cash for
an article the question of price becomes of
secondary importance. The so-much-a-
month idea looks so easy that Mrs. Jones,
who would hesitate to pay $25 in cash for
a talking machine, readily agrees to pay
$100 on the so-much-down-and-so-much-a-
month basis.
An “Easy Payment” Industry
The only reason for a retailer’s consid¬
ering the selling of machines at less than
the manufacturer’s fixed price would seem
to be his desire to sell on a cash basis. And
up to date selling for cash ha3 not been
attended with any great degree of satis¬
faction to the retailers who have made the
experiment. Most cash-store owners, in¬
deed, have experienced difficulties and met
with unsatisfactory results in trying to
sell for cash some line of merchandise
Editor’s Noth— This is the third in our scries
outtalk! Further dUeussioll of "the" subject will
be presented in on enrly issue.
which has become established as “install¬
ment goods.”
Contract Restrictions
All these facts are more fully realized,
perhaps, by the older talking-machine
manufacturers than they are by some re¬
tailers. And in the endeavor to protect
their own interests, as well as those of
the retailer, some of these i f t i
have gradually developed sales contracts
which arc “fearful and wonderful to be¬
hold.” Another evidence of “growing
pains.” No industry which was not busy
getting its growth could or would be sewn
up in such contracts.
These contracts are one of the “haz¬
ards” of the business, to borrow a golfing
term. Although probably drawn up origi-
naily for the purpose ot maintaining
prices, they also contain clauses which ap¬
peal strongly to the manulacturers because
they afford convenient forms of protection
against competition.
For example, one such contract pro¬
vides that no record except that made un¬
der certain patents may be demonstrated
on that company’s talking machines; also
that the retailer cannot sell this particu¬
lar talking machine; all he can dispose of
is : a license to the consumer to use it for
playing the kind of records stipulated.
This practically means the company’s own
records.
An Odd Situation
Of course, under such conditions no
purchaser can insure the machine he
thinks he owns! How’s that for “growing
pains” in an industry?
Such conditions will right themselves
soon enough. In the meantime, the dealer
must take them into his calculations in
starting or expanding his talkng-machine
department.
There are two courses open to him : 1,
to tie up with the older machine and rec¬
ord manufacturer; 2, to select machines
in the open market and handle them in his
Each course has its advantages and
disadvantages, and the merchant must de¬
cide for himself which best fits in with his
general business plans. Consider each
case in order.
The advantages of handling the older
makes of machines are that the reputa¬
tion of tlie goods is established and the
merchant is assured of a profit from the
sales of records, as well as of machines.
This latter is an important item.
The disadvantages are: that, in many
cases, the retailer now entering the field
will find competing stores already handling
such machines; that the wide distribution
of the goods supplies numerous competi¬
tors; and that the retailer is practically
barred from featuring any other make of
machine or records in his talking-machine
department.
Advantages and Restrictions
The advantages of featuring the newer
makes of machines are that almost with¬
out exception these are made with attach¬
ments which enable the owner to play any
type of record, that the dealer is free to
buy machines as he buys ids', other mer¬
chandise (without restricting contracts),
and that he may demonstrate and sell any
records he chooses to buy.
The disadvantages are that the newer
makes have not yet had the opportunity
to establish a national reputation, and the
difficulties encountered in establishing a
record department on a satisfactory ba¬
in our issue of July 15 last we ex¬
plained something of the record situation.
It can be briefly summed up in the state¬
ment that although there are several inde¬
pendent record manufacturers in the field,
and more entering it,, the vast bulk of all
talking-machine records are still being
made by manufacturers who also make
talking machines. Moreover, these manu¬
facturers, very naturally, are endeavoring,
with considerable success, to restrict the
selling of their records to those retailers
who also sell their machines.
It is not the province of the ECONOMIST
to decide for the retailer which course of¬
fers the greater advantages. But it is our
province to warn the merchant that he
ought to weigh carefully the merits of the
machines he selects, and that he should
avoid collecting a few machines of each
make and thus making a junk shop of his
talking-machine department, as many mer¬
chants did of their vacuum-cleaner section
a few years ago.
Collection Corps Turned Into Selling Force
When Talking Machine Customers Resent Collector’s Call Ingenious Retailer Develops
New Method of Approach — Jacks Up Delinquents and Sells Machines and Records
I'he system we started for the fol-
; up of delinquents has become one
most valuable adjuncts of our sales
ition work,” recently remarked the
g-mnchine buyer of an Eastern store
Economist staff member.
/hen the war broke out,” lie contin-
our collections slowed up to such an
; that we considered it necessary to
■ up the delinquents by personal calls
11 as by loiters.
soon developed that many women were so
pleased with the visit and the opportunity
to hear the now records that our service
women found it an easy matter to take
orders for one, two, and in some cases a
dozen records in almost every home they
visited.”
“But what about credit?” the Econo¬
mist man asked. “You started this plan
to jack up delinquents, didn’t you?”
Helped Collection Showing
any case where one of our much
needs attention, and the extra rc
developed by our ‘service cor;
mighty nice profit above all cj
the plan.
Exchanging Cheap Mach
“As this service work devel
tinucd the buyer, “it is leading
of machines as well as of reel
instance, one of our women m
intc,l from tile Dry Goods Economist of September 2, 1916. (Copyright by the Dry Goods Economi
How to Handle Talking Machine Repairs
What Dealers Should and Should Not Expect of Manufacturers— Importance of
Instructing Consumers in the Right Use of Machines
The piece of mechanism that will not lies, the sound box and the motor. Of powerful « an tie 0 e J ^heMtaps
te instance!1 The* Mto^Wte°^ ad^stments. bu^t also that he ^ty be cer. above, the minor
rs2KttiS=ss,y1»aa: Mte&ssurs:
nutonwHo.0 iSSVSS’iS.T’aJSS “'tZZ SSSSS 'T;.
though durable piece of mechanism, and Moreover, he will do well to have his of the m„in.
may at times be put completely out of com- snlesforce present white 1 it s being ex- 0CCUrance, be-
w„„, 0, — *h. ««'«"« 7"»
S.™ yeiira .«», to, .«»„*, „l,cn th. »1 Urn n, mind to ...» .Iter ■»"'"£ PJ* « W^TSStoTbSto it ' u
big talking machine companies began to The reason for having the entire force brittle. When a mams s
export their products to South America, present is that they need the ^ knowledge ^tterjo^have^t
brittle. When a mainspring breaks it is
«poJT^r,,|^^l!I,&ii5i America] pres'ent Vs that they nee'd the knowledge better to have * replaced by the mum-
they e, 0 teiel co lerable trouble, if they arc to handle machines properly,
machines being returned with which there and need it, also as part of their selling
was little or nothing the matter. Some argument. * '
dealer — in Buenos Aires, let us say— Tell the Consumer Return the Motor Only
would return tile machine to New York be- .... . . . ., It is not necessary, however, to return
cause a governor spring, 2 in. long and Obviously, it is important in the re- ^ cntire macbine to the factory. Only
weighing a fraction of an ounce, had tailing of such a mechanism as a talk g ^ motor nced be scnt back. With prac-
broken. The dealer did not know what it machine that the consumer be . present makes of talking ma-
was that caused the trouble so he sent derstand that he is not buying a fool-proof tica y ^ yery ^ be de.
back the whole machine, weighing per- chunk of wood and iron, but a machine del- ’ instcad „f returning a
haps 100 lb., at considerable transporta- icate enough to reproduce wit h«d«M “ Z 7fi’ne cabinet work, which
tion cost and at the risk of serious damage accuracy vibrations of the human vo ce- in transit, all that the
in the course of the trip. The consumer should be shown that such a neecls £ scnd back is a small box
machine must, of necessity, be handled . . f ramie steel motor.
Some Dealers Thoughtless with care if it . is to continue to do good containing the tg
innvonQo in interest in work. The retail salesman, therefore. Follow Up Customers
With the b g lifter closing a sale, should invariably in- .
talking machines on the pait of the deal- ^ customer as to taking carc oE Tbe necessity for occasionally making
ers— particularly depaitment stoics in- e macb|ne slight adjustments of any talking ma-
stances of more or less similar character the"^uld show where the motol. is chine emphasises the value of the system
are becoming quite common in the domes- oiled and how the SOUnd-box should be of following up of customers outlined in
he trade. W< e could I cite i ofll hai d a numbei ban(]lcd He should then explain the one the Economist of Aug. 19. In that article
of instances of machines, which merely ^ twQ minor adjustments that are likely we spoke primarily of the value of such
needed some shght adjustment being re- tQ bc n(,ccssary_ For instance, one of the work as a means of keeping collections on
turned to a factoij. pe^aps 1,000 miles ^ baUs may get out 0f true and leased machines up to date. This service,
Return the Motor Only
It is not necessary, however, to return
the entire machine to the factory. Only
the motor need be sent back. With prac¬
tically all present makes of talking ma¬
chines the motor can very easily be de-
With the big increase in interest in "°1K-
talking machines on the part of the deal- alter c
ers— particularly department stores— in- struct
stances of more or less similar character the ma
are becoming quite common in the domes- “e
tic trade. We could cite offhand a number °Uetl s
of instances of machines, which 1 1 11
needed some slight adjustment, being re- °r twc
turned to a factory, perhaps 1,000 miles to be
away. In one case it required less than goverr
ten minutes to put in perfect condition a c'lus® f
machine which had traveled 1,500 miles should
with all the accompanying freight 1 go
and risk of damage. j1
This is not fair to the manufacturer, bow t
nor is it satisfactory to the retailer. More- 11 leU
over, it can very readily be avoided. The miy s
first stop in the right direction is for the “ (iu“1
head of a store’s talking machine depart- uP®et
ment to thoroughly understand, the ma- or mn
chine I10 purchases. This is no difficult °!’° ^
struct the customer as to taking carc of The necessity for occasionally making
the machine. slight adjustments of any talking n.„-
He should show where the motor is clunc emphasizes the value of the system
oiled and how the sound-box should be of following up of customers outlined in
handled. He should then explain the one the Economist of Aug. 19. In that article
or two minor adjustments that are likely we spoke primarily of the value of such
to bc necessary. For instance, one of the work as a means of keeping collections on
governor balls may get out of true and leased machines up to date. This service,
cause a peculiar knocking. The customer however, also has a distinct value in pre¬
should be told not to attempt to make the venting customers from injuring then-
adjustment, but to ring up the store so that machines in trying to correct minor diffi-
it may be attended to by a man who knows culties, neither the cause nor the care of
how to handle a talking machine motor, wliicli they understand. It also enables the
If left in ignorance, again, the purchaser store to build up a nice business on records
may attempt to adjust the soundbox, and ami to use cheap machines as a leader to
What the Buyer Should Know
We have already explained, in the
Economist of July 8, the various features
that go to make up a talking machine, viz.,
the cabinet, the mechanism for reproduc¬
ing sound and the motor. There are two
main sources of talking machine diflicul-
attempt to adjust the soundbox, and ami to use cheap machines as a leader to
a quarter turn of one of the screws will so interest customers in the purchase of the
upset its mechanism ns to cause a rattle more expensive and handsome talking ma-
or make the tone unsatisfactory. Or some- chines.
one may carelessly take hold of the little There is one retailer in a little town m
vibrating arm of the soundbox, and as this New England, for instance, who some
is attached only to a thin piece of mica at months ago bought a hundred $5 machines,
end the soundbox will inevitably He has kept those machines circulating
r> in his community ever since, selling a cus-
P .. ~ o . . . . a tomer one today and next week or next
ine viz May Cause SenOUS Accident month exchanging it and allowing the $5
jproduc- Some people who feel that they have a credit to apply on the purchase of a higher
are t’”o mechanical turn of mind may become curi- priced machine.
diflicul- ous to see “what makes the wheels go A repair department, therefore, if
. round.” The customer, therefore, should proper advantage is taken of it in follow-
mnehine" be warned that this is a dangerous pro- ing up customers, is not an expense, but
n the re. Ceeding, that the steel spring which is the rather a means of satisfying customers,
ill appear 0f tjie motor js many times more and of increasing sales.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
1 6, ltjifi (Copyright by the Dry Goods Economist.)
Reprinted front the Dry Goods Economist of September
Selling Low-Priced Talking Machines as Toys
An Aid in Creating Interest in the Better Instruments — Tone of the Machine Important
Keep Record of Purchasers
Some merchants hesitate about featur¬
ing low-priced talking machines as toys.
They figure that such a policy will inter¬
fere with the sales of higher-priced instru¬
ments.
“Every time I sell a toy talking ma¬
chine,” argued a merchant to an Econo¬
mist stafr-memher recently, “I kill off a
prospect. The toy machine will do prac¬
tically what the big machine will do, even
if it will not do it as well. Why should
I feature $5 or $10 machines, when I can
just as well sell $50 or $100 instruments?"
Create Demand for Fine Instruments
Experience has proven this line of
reasoning to be faulty. The sale of toy
talking machines is one of the best means
of creating business for the finer grades of
instruments. The toy talking machine, as
the merchant referred to reasoned, is un¬
like any other kind of toy.
The toy piano, for instance, is in no
sense a musical instrument. It is a toy
pure and simple. Hearing a youngster
pound a toy piano never gave anyone the
desire to hear a real piano— the desire it
usually creates is the desire to run.
The low-priced talking machine, on the
other hand, will play the same records as
the fine, expensive instrument.
Owing to its small size and cheaper
motor, it does not, of course, give as good
results, but it does reproduce a record suf¬
ficiently well not to annoy the grown' folks
of the family.
Grown Folks Borrow the “Toy”
Once the toy machine gets into the
home, as a general thing, the grown folks
become quite as much interested in it as
the youngsters. They begin buying rec¬
ords, one here, one there, “for the kids,"
until they have the nucleus of a fairly
good collection. Then these grown-ups
decide that they want something better
than the toy machine for reproducing
those records. It is only a step from that
decision to the purchase of a fine machine
as a musical instrument.
Follow Them Up
For this reason the far-sighted store
manager insists that a record be kept
of all purchasers of toy talking machines
during the Christmas selling.
This list of toy machine purchasers
should be held until the lull in February
and March, and should then be followed up
with an offer to allow the full purchase
price of the toy machine to apply on the
purchase of a fine instrument, provided,
of course, that the toy machine is in good
condition.
Since one of the objects of featuring
the low-priced machine is that it shall
serve as an advertisement in the home of
the customer of the enjoyment to be had
from a talking machine, the buyer of toy
talking machines should give careful at¬
tention to the tone quality of the machines
he decides to feature.
The importance of this is often over¬
looked. Too frequently the buyer of toy
talking machines picks his machine as
the women "pick” horses at the races —
purely on their “looks.” This is a mis¬
take which will cost his house the profit
on the sale of many a fine talking machine.
Space a Factor
Of course, it is out of the question to
get tone reproduction in a $10 machine
equal to that of a $100 instrument. For
among other requirements, space to prop¬
erly amplify the sound is one of the prime
requisites for a good tone in a talking ma¬
chine. There is, however, plenty of oppor¬
tunity for the exercise of sound judgment
in the selection of low-priced machines.
Examine Motor
Having made sure of the tone quality
of the toy machine, the next feature to be
examined is the motor. The buyer who, in
his anxiety to undersell all competitors,
glosses over this important piece of talk¬
ing machine mechanism is storing up
trouble a-plenty for himself.
Every Machine Helps Record Sales
As we mentioned before, in most cases
the small machine will play the same rec¬
ord as the expensive instrument; there¬
fore. each of the purchasers of these toy
machines is a prospect for record sales.
The man who sells talking machines
should always keep in mind that when he
sells a machine he sells the customer the
privilege of constantly coming back for
records.
This, of course, suggests the following
up of purchases of any machine, no mat¬
ter what its price, with announcements of
new records from time to time.
Carry Low-Priced Records
It also suggests the advisability of
handling some of the cheaper lines of rec¬
ords in the toy department. There are a
number of good records which retail at
from 10 cents to 35 cents. These are the
ones which the people who buy low-priced
machines will be most likely to purchase
—at least for the first few months. A
man who has paid $5 for a talking
machine is not likely to pay $3 for a
record.
Finer Records Not Affected
This fact has led some merchants into
thinking that the featuring of cheap ma¬
chines and cheap records may hurt the
sale of the finer records. Again the facts
have shown the contrary to be the case.
Even the purchasers of expensive talking
machines usually begin by buying rag¬
time records, but they soon demand better
music. The rag-time serves as the kinder¬
garten to the classics.
Soon Want Better Music
In the same way, the people who buy
$5, $10 or $16 machines for the youngster
begin by picking up low-priced records.
Then they hear some beautiful vocal or
instrumental record played on a machine
belonging to some friend, and they decide
to try it on their own machine. It gives
a fairly good result. The inevitable result
is that they begin buying more of the
higher-priced records. Next, having the
good records, they want a machine that
will give more satisfactory results. This
has been the history of the sale of many
a fine machine.
Then, again, it must be remembered
that the talking machine of to-day is more
and more coming to be considered as a
piece of fine furniture.
The Talking Machine as an Ornament
The woman with the well-furnished
living-room is no longer satisfied with the
cheap little talking machine over in the
corner. She wants a fine cabinet that will
look as well as any other piece of furni¬
ture in the room.
Her toy talking machine is at first only
an amusement for children ; but soon it is
used for entertaining the family. Once
the family begin playing the machine they
begin to find it necessary to apologize for
it to friends, with the result that sooner
or later they feel the necessity of getting a
machine for which no apologies will be
necessary.
Easy to Sell
The pushing of the toy talking ma¬
chines is a comparatively simple matter.
Indeed, they push themselves. Aside
from the usual newspaper advertising
which would be given to any toy, it is only
necessary to have the machine played
constantly in the department. “Music
hath charms” not only “to soothe the sav¬
age breast,” but to attract the tired shop¬
per. You will never fail to find a crowd
around a talking machine that is being
played, whether it is a big machine or a
little one.
This serves as an advertisement not
only for your machines, but for your rec¬
ords in the toy department.
One Danger Point
There is one difficulty that must be
overcome by the store management in the
featuring of toy machines, however. This
is: The jealousy which naturally exists
between the toy buyer and the musical
instrument buyer, or vice versa. What
method shall be adopted for overcoming
this is, of course, a matter for each mer¬
chant to decide. The merchant must make
it clear, however, that handling talking
machines in the two departments is neces¬
sary for the best interests of the store;
furthermore, that, to get the biggest re¬
turns from the sales efforts, a thorough
co-operation between the two departments
is essential.
Unlike other toys, low-priced talking
machines and records should not be con¬
sidered merely as toys for children, but as
a means of educating the grown-ups to
the possibilities of a fine machine for the
production of music in the home.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
<£^o-c/2y 77*, — ^ *y?As~
Edward Marshall
Fitzgerald Bldg., 1482 Broadway
New York City
THE BIGGEST
INTERVIEW SERVICE EVER OFFERED
TO AMERICAN NEWSPAPERS
The New York Sun
The Pittsburgh Dispatoh
The Los Angeles Times
Philadelphia Inquirer
Used by:
San Francisco Chroniole
The Syracuse Herald
The New Orleans Times— Picayune
Anaconda Standard
The Boston Post
The Son Antonio Express
Chicago Herald
And others
October 23, 1916.
Mr. W. H. Meadowcroft ,
c/o Edison's Laboratory,
Orange, 1T.J.
Dear Sir:
Mr. Edward Marshall, who is now in London, has written asking
if won't try to obtain from you two prints of the photograph which
was taken a year or more ago, comprising yourself, Mr. Edison,
Mr. Ford, Mr. Marshall aid possibly one or more others standing
on the steps of the Laboratory. " One print he asks me to mail
at once. The other he would like very much to have autographed
by you and Mr. Edison, then sent to me, and by me sent to Mr.
Ford for autographing.
I know Mr. Marshall will be greatly indebted to you if you
can conveniently grant his' request.
Yours very truly,
rv tr,--
^
Sec'y to Mr. Marshall.
DAY LETTER
THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY
^ „Is ," ,n 1^'°^ vf *”E|p'"CA^ „ ‘cable SEgfaci E TO ALL THE^ WORL^
^ / A \-
Received at
53NY S 145 5 EX BLUE
THOMAS A EDISON ^
WEST ORANGE f
Sl'Mf/Hf&g'’ Qff!80TA?ETT^H“I»TTw!?H
JuSSfe ®^raMV»ri!!ISoKWDMMSHE ^Ieattle sand i ko
TAMPA AND GALVESTON IT WAf OPERATED FOR OVER TW0H0URS>FD DAILY
«T nwtuni
TOUCH OF HIS KEY TRANSMITTED OVER THE TWENTY SIX THOUSAND
KeM WaSrrWaf* “eonaphy from the
sfLferE*rcTo^:LEEI?^gf«^rTYoU^?IE‘lSlLrs«E!2rL“
ITS SERVICE BUlXETj^JWTH ANY_ . .C_OMMENTS_YOU^FJEQ_i YOUi COULD
MAKE IN RESPECT
-"JSSS
ACHIEVEMENT A REPLY WILL OBLIGE
KENT COOPER
TRAFFIC MGR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
123EPM „ .
« C ft> un.e|
T* kancUrtV'
^Vv>
October 25, 1916.
Ur. ’.Yilliam A. Watson,
Manager- Phonograph Department,
Dry Goods Economist,
231 West Thirty -ninth Street,
Hew York City.
Dear Sir:
Yonr letter of the twentieth addressed to
Ur. Moore duly reached Mr. Edison, and the latter
requests me to say that he will he very glad to se<
you at some convenient time, and suggests that you
telephone a day or so in advance of your intended
viBit so that an appointment can he arranged.
If you will call Orange 907 and ask for Mr.
Meadowcroft, who is Ur. Edison's assistant, you
will he able to arrange an appointment.
Youre faithfully.
Second Vice President.
WM-AH
We Have not as yet received your reply to our
letter of June 12th asking for
data. As we expect to go to press shortly we will he
grateful to you if you will make the necessary
forrections or additions on the attached sheet and
return to us at your earliest convenience.
We are anxious to make this 7th Edition of
"Who's Who in Hew York" complete and accurate in every
way hut to accomplish this we have to ask your c
operation.
As stated previously, hy supplying this information
you incur no obligation to heoome a subscriber and wc
will not permit you to ho annoyed hy solicitations to
purohase.
As a matter of fact there will he no copies avail¬
able to the public after publication as we shall bring
tut only as many volumes as are actually subscribed for
in advance.
We feel Bure you will want to possess a copy and
we therefore suggest that you fill out the enclosed
order blank and return it to us before we close our
subscription book.
Sincerely yours,
HWK/T
Editor
Colliers
1616
Dea:
Lr. i.leadov, -croft:
. iiaxwell suggests
and courtesy in ti.is — ’ij,xweni thinks that
at some later date. v?ill .y,ou not t>© so
good as to let us hear from you what you think
of this?
With regards,
Sincerely
3/tuty ,/f
'..fig Ed
Hanaging'/Ed itor
V/. Eeadowcroft, Esq.
'i’hoinas A. Edison, Inc.
Orange, E. J.
hjf-d
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Colliers
October 27, 1716
u
Dear -r. Edison:
***/ 7( «*!L Col lien's" e Yec tr io al h>£sber,
to be"dated December 2, is intended to be a great
stimulus to the electrical industry in u is
country. i’he electrical world is :..oie or leoo
interested in it. Y/e had hoped that you might
>=-ive us a brief interview or write a brief article
upon the immediate future of electricity; but ve
learned from ilr. Ueadoworoft that you aresobusy
that either of those alternatives is nuite ho;,e
less. ;,iav we ask you, therefore, as a great
f vor not onlv to us but to the electrical in¬
dustries and to the public in general in America,
that ou will write, say, at least a letter say¬
ing something about the immediate future oi
electricity in America? V/e and, we are certain,
the. nublic would be immensely inoebteu to you lor
it if, already indebted for so much.
V/ith much regard,
i’aithiully yours,
Managing Editor
Thomas A. Edison, Esj,.
Orange , U . J .
hjf-d
ROBERT W. SPANGLER.
ESTABLISHED 1910
BRANCHES:
The New West Magazine
"WILDING THE IVEST”
1211 WALKER BANK BUILDING six Y<.0„
nB SALT LAKE CITY. UTAH in the Intermountain Country
October 27, 1916
Mr. Thomas A. Edison
Orange, Hew tfetfsey
Dear Sir:
Attached is copy of letter from the president of the
General Federation of Women's Clubs, in which she mentions your
We also mailed you, under date of October IS, copy of a
resolution passed by the Idaho State Federation of Women's
Clubs. A similar resolution has been passed by the Utah
and the Nevada State Federations.
Will you not send some message to these women through The
New West Magazine Electrical Humber? It would be very much
appreciated by them as well as by us.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
lira . Robert \Y. Spangler
Western Club Woman department
The New West Magazine
Salt Lake City, Utah
Dear Mrs. Spangler:
It is with pleaeure I learn of the extensive
?irerrSeic°embe^2nfomtde ^Ln^marve™ trans^ationsVave'reen
Development.
The emancipation of woman from household drudgery has
*«
progress and enlightenment.
I also desire to bear testimony to the fJ;n® Patriotism
shown by Thomas A. Rdison in placing his transcendent talen
the service of his country.
Los Angeles, California.
Scientific, American
arb/as
Mi ixn K- Co. INC.
•.>:«» 1 Jiijb^invAY. Nmv Yoiik
, Oaiober 28, 1916.
£•
Mr. Meadowcroft,
Edison Laboratories ,
West Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:-
Mr. Charles A. Minn recently had an interview
with Hr. Edison and suggested that the aCIENSIPIC AMERICAN
would like to publish something regarding Mr. Edison s
work during the present war-times, when certain materials
have been cut off from our markets.
Mr. Edison agreed to grant an interview
to a member of our staff. Will it be possible to ar¬
range a date sometime the latter part of next week
whom I could call with a stenographer to interview
Mr. Edison? I am very anxioue to have Mr. Edison s
message published in our special E1°c^r^;°ai.
December 2d, which means that I must hove the material
in hand by the middle of November.
Very truly yours.
tjanaging Editor.
Octobor 51,1010
A. Russell Bonfl, Bsq.,
Aancging Bailor, Scientific American,
255 3ro'c.dway, How fork, 15. 1.
Bear iiir:-
lour favor of the 28th inst., has Been
received. Kr» Adis on -says that ho is willing to
grant on interview to a member of your staff towards
the latter part of next week. .
I would suggest that you call 'me on the
telephone a day in. advance and I will make a definite
appointment for you.'
lours very truly.
Assistant to ?-5r. iifiison.
; \
October 30,1910.
•Jx. Henry J. Forman,
. Managing Editor,
. . COnUEBS,
416 West 13th Street, ■
Hew lorlc City, U.Y..
Bear Sir
i have shown Mr. -Edison your favor of the
27th inst. He says that ho will probably be able
to giye your representative an interview some time
next week. His time this wool: is all taken up, but
if you will get in touch with mo say about Wednesday
morning next week, .1 will try and make' a definite
appointment for your roprooontative.
Yours very' truly.
Collier s
)etoher 31, >
Dear Hr. I.Ieaaoworoft:
Si, >916
V
1 than',: you very much
SnriSil Snd yet so ;u.i ; ,
-0» my find it possible to lo< r«^. ,
SaTr^SB"*
busl'ie1,1 ± 5,r^"^ '£f
“S»rsrtrtLryS;".L
can count- u . y/ith many thanics.
Cordially yours,
W. H. Headowcroft, Esq..
c/o Ehomas A. Edison 0 (1 ®
Orange , M . J.
hjf-d
Hovombor l.l'JIG
Hr. Henry J. Forman, . -
Hanaging JEditor, -
COLLIKRS,
416 West 15th Street,
Hew Yorfc City, U.Y.
Dear Hr. Forman:
' . 1 ' I am in receipt of your favor of
tho 31st ultimo , and in reply beg to say that in
acdordanea with your doBire, I will- ash Ur. EdlBon
-to "have a heart". He is ant of town for today
and tomorrow, but i hope he will be horo on Friday
and will then place your letter before him.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr.. Edison. t
As
Western Electric (
'£«{HnEERING DEPARTMENT
~~Y , U 4°3WEST STREET
T cH.cr «»..»«<. T I,/ NEWYORK
Company .
November 6, 1916,
v
/ms/ 1^7 ;/ ,w;~.
. ,«M-S - 1 £)ji -far
enclosed,
. ^
, THOMAS A. EDISON,
Orange,
New Jersey.
My dear Ur. Edison: - n | — '
You may be interfeate£in t^en^o^ed^j^i^e ^
a facsimile of a letter vjt dS£$ <*&»»
many years ago by Mr. Soribjver^ ^ ^ t0 ^
■ i^beoauae on tbe |igh|ee^h ^of^^ ^
I am Bending it\beoaue^ c
this month Ur. Scribner completes d
c/rtoiT >-
with the Western Eleotrio Cpmpany «
Vrears of service
£>x«Xo
1 ita'predeoessors in
business. The day is to be doubly eventful because his
daughter is to be married on it. C~~p
In oelebration of this anniversary we are planning
to make the December number of the Company paper, the
Western Eleotrio News, a soribner number. Among other
things, the enclosed letter of Introduction is to be re¬
produced and it occurred to me that you might like to
write a personal letter to Mr. soribner which we could
also reproduo e . I have not said anything to him about the
matter but I know from the esteem in which he holds you
that he would cherish such a letter very much.
As the News goes to print early next week, it
would he desirable for us to have anything you might write
not later than Monday (November 13th) of next week. Mr.
Scribner is in Vermont at the present time and may go
directly to Chicago where his daughter is to be married.
If you will send the letter to me I will see that it is
forwarded to him wherever he may be and will at the same
time arrange to have it photographically reproduced for
the News.
With kindest personal regards, X am,
Very sinoerely,
Assistant Chief Engineer.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
5&A.V •/'T'US-v. ■"
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Hovombcr 0,1916
J.!r. F. B. Jowett,
o/o Y.’cstorn Bloc trie Company,
463 best Street,
Hew lor]:, H.Y.-
lly.doar Ur* .Jewett: , .
I am glad you wrote to mo about
our friond. Scribner,' and alco that you enclosed a
copy of Barton’s lottor introducing him to no thirty-
sevon .years ago. • >
Ho woo certainly ono of the moat prolific
inventors of . tho aye , and X contra tula to him upon
reaching tho fortieth anniversary, of his telophonie
engineering, and also upon living in a happy age of
tire world when the people hold inventors in groat
repute.: / • .
Yours very truly, .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Iloveiabor 9,1916
ilr. C. 1. Scribner,
c/o iesiom SLoctric Comrany,
403 West Street,
• . How York, II. Y.
friend, Scribner': ,
Qur frionci Jpwott tells mo that '
in a fen days you arc going to eelebzatb the 40t!i
anniversary .of your entranco into lolophonic Sagin-
ooring.. I an glad 'to knot; that after your forty
years of ' hard v;ork you are ctill "in the ring"-,
and I wont to congratulate you on- that and on -the
splendid record of achiovomont you have nauo. I'ay
the coming year find you hearty and still full of
vita.
lot me also 'offer my felicitations on the
marriiu’o of' your daughter, which I understand, is to
tako plu..o on your anniversary day, thus making .tho
aay doubly eventful.'
With cordial records and all good vtiehoc ,
1 iotauin.
Sincerely youro,
lioveraber 0,1910
A. Pollman, /
2cc$y to Br . Bdward Barshnll,
1402 Broadway, Bow York pity.
How York.
Boar, Blr:- .
I on sorry there has boon do rnich delay
in attending to Hr. Bwchall'o requests. contained
in your favor of the 23d ultimo. I?- the lirst
•Blaoo wo ao not havo any prints of tno particular
ohotoprapn, and in tho next place fir. .A+aon-bVB .
been out of town and has boon so enc«H30d tha- it
was onlv late Saturday afternoon they 1 coulu L-ot.
hie autof’i'ai'h.on one of the -cepiofc • . • •
1 boat the two photos by first-clasp
nail Ituird'cy afternoon, and trrfct they navo open,
rocplvod in ,~ood order. ■
Kindly- give ny very kindest roparde' to
12. Bcrehnll the litir.t tine you write to Ain.
Yours very truly;,-
• Assistant to Sir. jJdieoh.
Dovonbor 14,1316.
Proea Illustrating Sorvioe, Inc.,
142 foist iuwonty-i'hird Street.
Dow York City, 3. Y.
Gentlemen; Attention hr. II.- V»‘. Sierichs.
Referring to your favor of tho 20th
ultimo, I beg to Bay that l,!r. Edison has boen
bo very buoy that -ho has hod no time to givo
to your Photographer. Howovcr, he has told
rao that ho will' spare a few minutes come day
this weok.
Just at this moment I do not know of
his going away anywhoro, but I would suggest
tomorrow morning might be a good timo'. Please
lot your Photographer ask for mo. ; .
Yours .very truly.
Assistant to Dr. Edison.
I?,/ TAt '
CIRCULATION LARGER THAN T1
F ANY OTHER SCHOOL PUBLICATION \l
CURRENT EVENTS
E EDUCATIONAL PI
Springfield ,1'ass.
r ^ a* Ho vender 15 ,1916,
West Orange, H. J- L ft* ^ ^
near Sir: u. t (
There seer*3 to he soroe difference of o>iricn
among authorities as to the award of the Hotel pJ*e
in Physics for 1915. Some authorities state ^hat it was
awarded, one half to yourself and one half to Ur. Tesla;
others that it was awarded to two English scientists.
For the benefit of our thousands of readers
we would he glad of the facts as to whether you ever
received the ITohel Prize*
We are enclosing a stamped and addressed envelope
for your convenience should you deem this matter worthy of
a reply.
Thanking you in advance for this courtesy, we are
Very respectfully yours,
EC.K/AG
liovembcr 18,1916
Scientific American,
233 Broadway,
Bow York City,
- Bow York. i
i Boar Ur. Bond: Attention Hr. D.B.3ond.
Your favor of tho lGth instant,
enclosing tho article prepared from your inter¬
view with Ur. Edison last week was received and .
shown to him- Ho has made a few minor changes,
and 1 am returning it to you horowith. .
, Hr. Edison noticed that you have this
in- the form of an article by him. Ho objects
most strenuously to this, and insists that you
publish' it solely as an interview, and not as an .
artiqlo by him. Ho soys that was tho understand¬
ing with you.
Yours vory truly,
• Assistant to Hr. Edison.
Enclosure. '
arb/k
Scientific American
mi Til
Munn 8c Co. Inc.
ana UiminvAY, NkwYoiik.
November 21,1916
Mr. William H. Meadowcrof t ,
Assistant to Hr. Edison,
Edison Laboratories,
Orange, N.J.
Dear Mr.Hendowcroft:-
I have your letter of the 18th inst.,
returning the article prepared from ray interview with
Hr. Edison. I wish you would thank him in my behalf for
reading the manuscript and correcting it.
I did not understand that Mr. Edison objected to
having the matter published as an article. Of course, we shall
comply with his wishes and state in our Editorial note, and
also in the title that this is an interview.
The article will appear in our issue of December 2nd,
copies of which will be mailed to Hr. Edison immediately upon
publication.
Very truly yours,
The Bragdon.Lord & Nagle Co ..Inc.
^JextileTForld 5ournal
Textile World Record~Textile Manufadurersjournal
OFFICIAL AMERICAN TEXTILE DIRECTORY
TEXTILE ADVANCE NEWS
AMERICAN DIRECTORY OF KNITTING TRADE
TEXTILE AND TECHNICAL BOOKS
Thomas A. Edi
ORANGE, N. J .
r-f 46l^EiGirrH Ave.at 34th.St.^
‘“V” of ”tu
benefit. /
tive oapaoity of dMS^1“ lildomestic' dye manufacturers
of the future ««£» of ttelr »lanta * Aeir Gapaolt?* the
”-?S SJ-aS 2- 7* ‘“tsM *° "**••
Aa a matter Rarest «a daalre to b pub-
information, which will *eG°mpiled ror variouB ^stuff plants
lffiaiti“U?Sn ty&. proa... of «»»•*”«““»»•
HU you co-operate .1th ..A, JStf Iwae'uSMSou”
poaaihle moment a N J, ^ntaniplatlon, apeclfying which
7, ekss,s: sJe.sSh“jrAXd 5... -—vw —
with a photograph for reproduction.
Will you advise us /t once whether we may expect such an
article from you. y
n-.N Thankingvyou advance, w*„J£S.
"3k *1 j ) \ /'l^^^^Yours truly.
J / / THE BRAQDON, LORD & NAGLE CO.,
\^r 4—
?! 10 Brardon, lord C; liaplo Co., Inc.,
461 Kifdit Avo. at 34tli iJtroot,
' lien York. Ii.Y.
Gentlemen : Attention Hr. V.H. Car roll :
Your favor of the 22d instant,, has boon
rooeivod and brought to Hr. Hdison's porsonal atten¬
tion. Ke wishes ue to adviso you tliat no do not
third: It la quite doeirablo for us to furnish the
information you nskffor, as v;e aro not in tho buc-
, inoco to remain, but are only in it temporarily.
Yours very truly,
Hdison laboratory.
“ ur a aore intimate understanding <
Lirst of these objects makes the issue
seriously feel that the second alone rm
>f America abroad .
possible, but the
dees it worth do im
The issue will have many articles on America d<
:vith its character and lvith its material and spiritual s'
sympathicaliy written by Americans and by Britons.
Vtili you be good enough to send me a signed phi
»i yourself for inclusion in this Number? And if the p]
and pur’poBe of the enterprise commend themselves to you,
care to vnrite me your approval, or males sug -cations for
success?
Yours faithfully.
T»
THE GRAPHIC
Decombor ££,191o
-ho Gruphic,
Eallis iiouse, '
iihitefriare,
London, L. C.
Gohtlenon: Attontlon ;;r. Loo schoff.
Your favor of tho lot instant has just
boon rccoivod, and in accordance Kith your' request!
hr. .Edison iB -Bonding you a signed photograph,
which you will find horowith.
, Ho regrots that he will not be able to
teko timoto write any statonont for you, as ho
is very busy on so. •no important orperimonts which
are so intricate and involved thatho doos not
wish to withdraw his thoughts on them.
Yours very truly,
.2d icon Laboratory.
A/1692. '
December 1,101G
• i!r . Thomas II. domes, l-res.,
.Massachusetts Biographical Society,
142 Berkeley Street,
. Boston, Hass.
Bear Sir:- >
Replying to your favor of the 20th ultimo,
let mo say that it is absolutely out of tho question
to consider such a proposition as you place boforo
mo. In the first plueo, literary work is entirely,
out of my line, and in tho next place, it would bo.
simply impossible for mo to devote a moment's consider
ation to a matter of this kind.
}Jy oxtonoivo buslnoss interests and experi¬
ment work demand ray closest attention, 10 to 20 hours
a day, and I cannot give time to other matters, not
even for an interview .
, Yours very truly,
A/1423.
MCCLURE’S MAGAZINE
'The McClure Publications
A
u''
December 5th, 1916
V
\ y f
>" V>
Thomue A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, New Jersey.
$ X. ,
/ I;y\
Dear Mr. Edison: / * /
X cannot let you offl That book yJ^ y
"For France" needs you. Even if you write only ^ jf / 4
two or three sentences, that will bo eufficient. ^ \/ S
w ... -.1- «• *• cfj y < .
• “ **'Vy ^
mo hear from you again. vYy &
Faithfully yours, _ » -
f+**~*e*+ ^ -
' For the Committee. > iy1
// f/v
,V'
In view of the general interest in your own great work for
preparedness, and in Mr. Doherty as a Reader of the electrical industry,
I am asking your permission to publish jin the next number of Electrical
Merchandising a picture of your factory^ building showing this flag.
Mr. Meadowcroft has courteously consented to procure such a
photograph for us, providing your consent^to its use is obtained.
December 11,1916.
Hr. 0. II. Caiaroll,
c/o Hie ctri cal .‘forehand icing ,
259 beet 5 9 til Dtreot,
Her YorH, II.Y.
Dour sir:- . - -
In accordance riih the ro^uost contained
in your favor of the ,8th. instant,' I on enclosing
a photograph of tho liloetrio' raring flag prosontod
to Mr. Hdicon by Hr. Doherty. Shis flag .is mounted
on tho tov.or of iio. £4 3aildiag of our plant hero.
Yours very truly,1
Assistant to . Hr. M icon.
A/1B50.
tain Office: 45 Boutwell Street, Dorchester, Hass.
The Woman’s Journal
-r- and Suffrage News
585 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts
Telephone: Back Bay 1717
AtiUlant Editor Editor-In-Chief
3 m uu (wyr J . .
uVLu.<. N 11 1916. ®
Dear Hr. Edison:
In our issue of June 3rd 1916, we printed the
inclosed clipping which v/e re-wrote from one of the He'.. York
papers. I think the Tribune. Since then the Salem Evening
Hews of Salem, Massachusetts has printed a letter purporting
to come from you which denies that you ever made the state¬
ment, and quotes you to the effect that:
"While I am in favor of Woman's Suffrage, I
notice that in states v/here they have suffrage , they have
failed to use their votes to diminish saloons and to correct
abuses. "
I wonder whether you ever did send this letter
to the Salem Evening Hews. V/e shall be sorry if v/e have
quoted you in the enclosed clipping incorrectly. If by any
chance, you do think that the women voters have not diminished
the number of saloons, and would like information on the
matter, I shall be pleased to send you material which I believe
is incontrovertable and which must have escaped your notice.
In town after town in Illinois, the only state v/here the votes
are now counted separately, the women voted the town dry when
it would have gone wet on the vote of the men alone.
AER/S/IF
Yours Bincerely,
vv
} imagin
Earle Ji Carlcy, president
E. S. McClure, secretary-treasurer
interview with you published in yesterday's Sun.. Is I ass wholly
in ay nip? thy with the views you express in th-t artiole, I feel that
I and all patriotic Americans are to be congratulated on the
privilege vouchsafed to thsm of reading your views on the critical
issues of tais unprecedented time. It would give me the gre- test
pleasure if presently you could find «. way tc answer several •pies-
tions I should be glad to present to you. IVhst I have in mind
is an expression of opinion from you connected more with the
scientific than the political or economic future of the race. In
this connection it would be inters sting to consider the subject
of wh'-t the heroic and adventurous men of the future will find
for the exercise of their activities if w»r is eventually done away
with.
Eirlc E, Carley, president E. S. McClure, secretary-treasurer Guy T. Viskniskki, vice-president
The Wheeler Syndicate, Inc.
373 Fourth Avenue, New York
Telephone {271} Madison Square
Furthermore, I should, like to get from you your
opinion regarding the possibility of the inhabitants of this plane-
over getting into communication with the possibly existing inhabi¬
tants of other planets. Sir William Hamilton remarked th t as
’.vo increase the diameter cf our knowledge we enlarge the circum¬
ference of our ignorance. Could we not paraphrase his assertion
in these days and say th- 1 a3 m enlarge the diameter of ur
knowledge we increase the romantic possibilities of man's
ao c ompl i shresnt s ?
Could you within the next few we.ka give me a talk
sornswh it upon the basis above suggested?
Sincerely,
v7 &M A CTV\ ^
■J-'-r.L
us i-t*jc^ C(^-j ’
Chicago Herald
FRANK e. MARNEY. COMMEB.ONOCNT (^3^ ^ .
I December 13, 1916.
wu j. 4( ~ ^ A
W aCaXPeai*.* >-f ft f (
I AAA X.^ty.K' W -~J
-<,cc <?-<£-«x»w- J C^t-ot U<hA
3t in quest of several /
■■*.- you and your valuable opinions on
4Gj.f(To lU«WvLfit 2'f U.c-u-rr^
.. „ JUa^u<i «/ hjtU ^ J
has been a long time— several years, in faotj-since the newspapertWciT
I represent has had the pleasure of publishing an Interview direct from you. and we
are hoping that you will afford us the opportunity at this time. A subject of
national importance. such as was contained in Hr. Marshall -a article of last
Sunday. or any other matter you might care to discuss. would be appreciated by the
CHICAGO SUBDAY HEHALD and its readers.
L'r. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
-y Dear Hr. Edison: _
Uy-OX-K-/ —
The editor of the CHICAGO SUKDAY HERALD has sent
articles, one in particular having to deal
matters of public interest.
I will be careful not to take up more of your time than is absolutely necessary.
Furthermore, my office wishes me to assure you that proofs of the article will be
submitted for approval. I shall be in How York until Friday evening.
The V/est likes you.Mr. Edison,
wants to hear from you occasionally.
December 14,1916
Ur. Bert Lennon,
Chicago Herald Bureau,
c/o limes Annex,
Hew York, 11. Y.
Dear Sir;.-
Hr. Edison requested us to say in
reply to you r favor of the 13th instant , that
he is on' a campaign of experimenting, and in
order to give you an interview he would have
to take hiB mind off somo.vory perplexing prob¬
lems Ho does not want- to do this until he
can see day-light, and just how ho cannot say
when this will occur. He wishes. uc to say
in addition that he gave tho- Sun interview to
Uarshall two and a half months. ago . during a
lull in his work.
Yours very truly.
Edison Laboratory.
Mr. Edward H. Davis
WATER STREET
Mr.
Mr.
Deo ember 16. 1916.
The attached letter iB similar to one/Bent to
Charles Edison, Mr. Ireton and myself.
"The Dhono graph" is a weekly phonograph trade
paper recently established in Chicago. Trade papers are
of very little benefit to us, and we are not advertising
in this one. Accordingly I do not think it advisable for
us to write them anything for publication. Mr. Ireton and
I decided not to do so, and I think Mr. Charles Edison
intends to ignore the letter he received.
WM-AH
C.C. to Mr.
Edie on.
NEWS
PHOTOGRAPHS
HOME PORTRAITS
NEWS AND COMMERCIAL
MOTION PICTURES
PRESS ILLUSTRATING SERVICE, inc
TELEPHONE,
CHELSEA
CABLE ADDRESS, MARPEW
Docombor 19,1910
Ur. H. Vi. SlorichG,
President, Press Illustrating Oorvice, Inc.,
142 liost Twenty-Ihird Street,
How York, H.Y.
Dear Sir:-, ' ■
I have rocoived your favor of the 18th
dM.tant, and in reply beg to say that so far as
I know Ur . Edison' is not .going to poso for the
Uovios. I should probably bo awaro of it if such
wore the fact, b;t I havo not hoard a word of
any such thing, and ho is. so exceedingly buoy
that I do not think for a moment ho would consent.
Allow, me to thank you for the copies •
of- the recent photographs that Ur. Predrieks made
of Ur. Edison. I an vory glad to havo then.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Jtr. Edison.
J
\V 4'
ELECTRICAL WORLD “l - - >
33west:::t:^^‘ ycd !
7v>
\ JJaWberaSS; 1WV j- .. /
^ J: z^s v j" /
' J 0^ J&S* VV'/
Jr. W. H. Meadavcroft, j V V „ ° ' -1"
Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, f i / £| J ^V'
Orange, N. J . j j [ U ‘ f ^ ^t-n
Dear Mr. Meadavcroft : ,-• ' ^
I have worked out tha enclosed article from l_J>
the interview i’ had with Hr. Edison yastorday afternoon, fili V .
you please put it before him for hie approval and correctiqnT^jJj? ^v-
ISiy I taka this opportunity to thank you again
for your help in making this interview possible. Hr. Edison has^
said some things very positively liera that I think ougnt to os said
and X hore that their publication in the Electrical World will help
to increase the use of electric vehicles.
As you know, we are planning to use this is
the special issue of the' Electrical World dated -January 6. I Bhall
appreciate knowing just when we can use this as soon as it is con¬
venient for you to return it, as we have a limited time before tne
paper goes to press.
I an enclosing also with this letter a copy of
the editorial which I told you about and which I wrote the morning
before getting Hr. Edison's idea. It pleased ms particularly to knov .
that I hod thought in about the seme terms with regard to the electric
vehicle that he was thinking, i
Yours very truly.
l°{
Clc^°
f it*. " w *
* n x + • i^r
0.?
^ , -
3 iCtC
ET^!C
38 CURSITOR STREET,
CHANCERY LANE,
-*«• & ART LONDON. E.C.
. I 83. 12. 16.'
Editor & Managing Director : A. R. ORAGE.
Thomas Alvan Edison, Esq.
Dear Sir.
I am recommended hy Sir Robert Hadf ield,F.R. S. (whose printed
article I enclose) to v«write to you on the subject of the two enclose^
questions on the industrial situation after the War and how to meet it.
Sir Robert feels that you might be persuaded, busy though you are, to
send me a contribution to my symposium, in the form either of a letter
KEXSCEfeiEtEy ■ • , . „ „
or article, expressing your ideas on the possibility ox an ax oer-wax
partnership between Capital and Labour from the point of view accepted
by Science. I might mention that various point* of the symposium have
been indicated by representative public men. For instance the after-war
view on the position of Capital by such big Government contracters as
Sir Robert Hadf ield, Sir Hugh Bell, Sir Maurice Flt*,maurice, Sir William
Denny, Mr Dudley Docker, C.B. and others.! am very anxious to make the
symposium complete by obtaining authoritative expressions of opinion
from the point of view of Science.: It needs no one to remind me how
suited you are by your great .acqomplishments and practical experience
to tell us what the application of science to industry is going to do
to replace the present industrial hostility by an industrial partner¬
ship. Sir Robert suggests that I should make my appeal^ on three ground.
First in view of your remarkable article bn Science on the Battlefield .
Second, that Sir Robert is an old oolleag/ue in met^alurgical research.
Third, that he has been assisting one of the American Commissions sent
•REET,
”ERY LANE,
ose printed
e two enclosed
,ow to meet it .
you are, to
•j o'f a letter
. after-war
view accepted
(osium have
ithe after-war
jntracters as
i. Sir William
to make the
I of opinion
iind me how
il experience
s going to do
'ial partner- r
m three ground .
iHrst in view of your remarkable article bn Science on tihe Battlefield .
Second, that Sir Robert is an old oolleag/ue in metallurgical research.
Third, that he has been assisting one of the American Commissions sent
Edison General File Series
1916. Autograph and Photograph Requests (E-16-04)
This folder contains requests for Edison's autograph or photograph and
related correspondence. Included are letters from collectors, publishers, news
bureaus, photography studios, and educators. Also included is correspondence
with Edison's acquaintances and employees, along with distributors of his
phonographs and batteries. Among the items for 1916 are letters from
Leonidas B. Estopinal, son of Congressman Albert Estopinal of Louisiana;
British engineer Arthur Percy Morris Fleming; John Frazer, dean of the Towne
Scientific School at the University of Pennsylvania; attorney and former Edison
employee William H. Lanman; and portrait artist Jacques Reich.
Approximately 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists primarily of items that received a perfunctory
response or no response from Edison.
Tho International Film Service,
15 an F re.no i so o , C al .
Replying to your collect Night letter of
the 13th instant
Tsn’t thoro some way we could examine the
34 pictures of Mr. Edison taken during his San
Francisco visit? 'Ye dislike haying thorn all 'sights
unseen". Would you care to send them on for examina¬
tion or at least proofs?
Kindly reply hy letter; we are not so
distressed on the subject that another collect
telegram will ho necessary!
Yours very truly.
THOMAS A. EDISON, INCORPORATED,
HH
THIRD VICE PRESIDENT.
crsttu of JTntrc Jin
fotrc fame, ^Inbimia
January 17, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I wish to thank you most sincerely for your kindness and
courtesy in oausing to he sent to me an autographed picture of your¬
self. The picture will he framed and will adorn the walls of our
Electrical Engineering building.
Thanking you again, and with all good wishes, I am
Yours very sincerely,
Professor in Charge
Electrical Engineering Department.
' if y
^ Thom:\s
y\ ^ Slnbit’a jMtlitiury ffclpml
(!•' , i 'N'”
pK 21 >
Gentlemen:
We have been refitting end remodeling our Physical
/ and Chemical laboratories and cntiftg other things that wo need
! are pictures of a scientific nature for the walls. Perhaps
you could give \is some of the pictures that you use for
advertising.
We would like a large picture of Mr. Edison if possible.
1 A plcttire of the Interior and exterior of the Edison laboratories
1 y.’ould also bo valuable. Perhaps you have other pictures which
\ would make an Interesting addition to our walls.
We wotiid particularly like to get a large copy of Mr.
Edison’s noted short article on cigarette smoking, signed
by him, suitable for framing. Our school is opposed to the
cigarette habit and this will be a great help to us in impressing
on the boys the evils of this habit.
Y0urs truly,
.. )\a — ^
tr OU gr— C-£rv.#- ^ JO-*-L_
-LL~(U, y~fC-~ lt~i iU -C — » — ^»~aC y^—
^ ./ C «-<_/ Ck£. 0^trv-<Lt^ L( . _
^y9*«- _ t jt~C
]/lt,i. ^wLe/’ ^ ^C^~-^^-X v C-®-^ -
— c cn<. <.- /«<u^ '*■ ^1* .
Ju^^^ro Sfa*-' J~*-<J. .
9l-l A.(pi-e^. yLn-o.tGa> rlZ-*z£ C-s-*-/_ jZl. 'ct^~^r -
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aintenmtimtal Sfilm Bernice, g«t.
iniatogcapl; Department
■220-238 WILLIAM ST. NEW YORK
Mr. N. C. Durand,
Thomas A . Edison Inc.
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir;
Am sending you under separate cover contact
t,— ,
/
lutteti States $nst ©fttre
Greenville, S. C. Feb. ?., 1916.
Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
Oranee, II. J.
Dear Sir:
to thank you
wish
very much for
William H. Meadowcroft, Esq.,
Edison laboratory,
Orange, H. J.
My dear Meadowcroft
X am about to complete the 86th year of my con¬
nection with the General Electrio interests. X have very pleasant
recollections indeed of my entrance into the Edison oamp in 1891 at
44 Broad Street. One of the thingB that has always remained promi¬
nently ih my mind is the kindly attitude whioh you assumed towards
me in the old days when I was very much of a greenhorn and of this
I have frequently spoken to Mrs. Lanman and many of my friends and
associates; I have also told you this before but there is no reason
why I should not tell you again, because I have alwayB appreciated
how you and the other boys at Broad Street took me into the fold and
made me one of yourselves.
While I have not for some years been sb closely
identified with Mr. Edison as I was in the early days, at the same
time I have always been proud to be known aa "an old EdiBon man".
In calibrating, as I shall do in a small way, thlB 25th anniversary
of mine, I wishi to hang up in my library at home a good reoent photo¬
graph of Mr. Edison. Will you kindly send me a good picture of him
and aBk him if he will be good enough to attach hiB autograph to it.
I presume you have on hand some photographs or can readily obtain one
February 8, 1916.
WHM--2
from available negatives. If you are put to any expense in obtaining
a print for me I shall like to have the privilege of reimbursing you.
I have just received my copy of the program of
the Convention of the Illuminating Engineering Society to he heia
in Hew fork this week, and if possible shall attend some of the ses¬
sions. I hope particularly to be present at the banquet at the
Biltmore on Thursday evening and shall be very happy if we can get
together for a few moments.
Please give Mr. Edison my warmest regards and
tell him that I wish him all sorts of happiness, good health and
prosperity.
WHl/C
Very sincerely yours.
i'eb . 9th.
1916 .
,.:r . ’.Villiem ii. Lanmon,
IBB Iroadv.ay ,
::ov. York City.
!iy dear Sr. lanman:
I am greatly pleased to receive a letter from you
End save read it with t greet deal of interest. It is no use
talking, t emeus does fidget. I a:;, be tv: on tvo stools, *nd don't
Isov: whether to nay it seems li.:c- yesterday, or to tell you that
ii shems like fifth years. I am rather is, lined to the latter,
because I hive grown to know you so well, and to esteem your
friendship.
X shall do very greatly pleased to get you a nice
picture of ;.:r. Edison <nd have him autograph it for you. There
till not be tno slightest expense, and it will he - joy and a
Plesure to ms to get it for you. fne only thing I must ask is
that you have a little patience, as ,’x. Silicon is on one of his
campaigns, and I cannot get his attention to the matter for a
little while yet.
1 hope to he at the Banquet of the Illuminating
Engineering foie ty tomorrow night, and shall look forward to
the pleasure of shaking hands with you and einenaging a few
greetings .
Viith kindest regards, I remain.
Yours vor„. truly.
Etched Portraits
of
Famous Americans
and of
Poets, Authors 8# Musicians
by
Jacques Reich
W
Studio, New Dorp, Staten Island, New York
CABLE ADDRESS "CHARBROWN. N. Y."
BROWN BROTHERS
PHOTOGRAPHERS
ILLUSTRATORS AND CORRESPONDENTS
1482 BROADWAY at 43d STREET
ARTHUR R. BROWN
New York, - rebmnry X4-, - 191 — 6-
Lir. VI. H. HLeadowcroft,
C/o Edison Company,
South Orange, E. J.
(v°c I
Dear Sir;-
y.e hope you will find it convenient to have us send an operator
out to make the photographs of Kr. Edison and the set of Encyclopaedia
Britannica, about which ttr. Patton of that company spoke to you
some time ago. Vie know that Br. Edison is very busy, and you
stated that you thought after the holidays he might find time to
have the pictures made.
Yery truly
ii^Uilall^TnacJTvne.
BAYLIS OFFICE EQUIPMENT COMPANY
DISTRIBUTORS
3 A. Edison, Perse
1 Labratory,
I hav-’ received notice that I s*j- a Pr^z®, ^”5“
: Diamond Disc Advertising Contest ana I ./is.i \
>s my gratitude direct to you. \
I ,vas until the first of the ye^ connected j;ith l
and future prospects are j
ent indeed. I
T4. „rI,„i-t^nt I would appreciate a signed paotc/-
to Place above my desk in my Dictating Machine De^on-
Yfith greeting!
i yourself desire,
Mr. William H. Meadowcroft,
Orange, 11. J.
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RK March 18, 1316.
Mr. Thos. A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
Dear Sir: Attention of
V/9 are in receipt of your favour of
Mr. Y/illiam Patten, advising that you hav
Encyclopaedia Britannica, for which pleae
Mr. Meadoworoft.
Maroh 16th addresse
ve returned the set
se accept our thanks
Yours truly, _ . ''
THE EMC Y CLOFASDI A BHIT^IICAyPORPORATIOM .
f/y
ANS-MG
/
1
fry J)ic(lC
L^6
Mar oil 29th.
II. . Johns-Manvillo Co.,
2S 9 Halsey street,
liewark, ii.J.
Gentlemen:
Your letter of the 18th i.etant to the
.-.dison Cueraieai '..oris , v.ith photorraph of Mr.
lid icon’s chemical plant at . ilvcr ..ale hao been
handed to me. Mr. Edison is in Florida, v.here he
haE por.c for a few weeks vacation, and v.e snail
have to communicate with him in regard to your
request .
1 fear you are going to be disappointed,
as ,.,r. Edison nae uithorto refusod r op.J. lively to
permit the r.iblication of any photorramc of his
chemical works. However, X will send down your
letter and the ruotograrh to him .no see vhst he
ioi.rs very truly ,
assistant to i.ir . Edison.
says .
Jacques Reich *1 1,6
New 'Dorp , Staten Island
Ne w Tori
i5
April 8,
1918.
Mr. VJm. H. Meadowcrof t ,
Orange, N.J.
My dear Mr. Meadowcrof t:
I wish to thank you for the photograph of
Mr. Edison which you sent me, and which I received a
day or so ago.
I note from your letter that Hro• Edison
is now in Florida and is not expected back until some
time next month. X shall bear this in mind, and write
you again about May 15th, when I hope that it will be
possible to arrange for an interview.
Yours very truly,
A aril ISth . 19X6.
H. ... Johns-Manville Co.,
239 Halsey Street,
Newark, li . J. attention of Mr. V.. J. Osborn
Gentlemen :
Replying to your favor of the 11th instunt, let
me ask whether it would not be satisfactory to you to wait
until Hr. Edison returns from Florida. It is our constant
study to eliminate every item possible from his mail, and
unless there Is extreme urgency in this case, I shall bo
very reluctant to ask his attention to the matter . I ex¬
pect him to roturn within the next two or three weeks, so
the delay is not a great one. In the meantime, you might
sebd me a copy of the photograph of the Phonograph berks.
I moan, of course, the photograph that you wish to use.
Yours very truly.
assistant
Hr. Edison,
Hay 2nd. 1916.
H. V,. Johns -Manvillo Co.,
239 Halsey Street,
Hewark, H. j. Attention of Jar. Osborn,
hoar Sir:
Eeferring again to your favor of the
11th ultimo. Hr. Edison wishes mo to state that
ho has no objection to your using the photo¬
graph that you have of the phonograph works .
He still adheres to his decision that
he objects to you using the photograph of the
Edison Chemical Works.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
PHILADELPHIA
May 15, 1916.
Hr . XI. H. Headoworoft, Asst.,
o/o Thomas A. Edison,
Orange , IT . J .
I!y dear Sir:
In aooordanoe with your let¬
ter of March 27th, may I ask you if you
will he good enough to bring my letter
of March 24th to the attention of Hr.
Edison?
Very truly.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
I o/spft
PHILADELPHIA
l.Sarch 24, <.1916.,
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
East Orange, N. .T.
My dear Hr. Edison:
1 am writing to ask if you will pre¬
sent to the Dean's office of the To-'ne Scientific School
of the University of Pennsylvania, a photograph of your¬
self, hearing your signature.
I feel that it would he especially appro¬
priate for the School to possess such a photograph, and
I am ipiite certain that it would he greatly appreciated
should you consent to present it, and I hope very much
thut you may fuel disposed to do so.
Incidentally, I am endeavoring to complete
the collection of photographs and autographs of the Ero-
fessors who have been at the head of the various Depart¬
ments of the School, and I find that I have none of the
late Professor Marks, who, I understand, was a personal
friend of yours. I venture, therefore, to ask if you
can tell me through whom I could secure a photograph of
him and his signature.
Very truly,
l,tr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange,
New Jersey.
My dear Mr. Edison:
You remember , you consented
to be one of our Advisory Committee upon invi¬
tation of our Board through Mr. Byllesby?
Our campaign is now nearing a successful con¬
clusion, and we have decided to place upon the
walls of our office autographed photographs of
a number of our most valued friends. We should
be delighted to have a photograph of you to
place alongside of one of our very good friends,
Mr. James J. Hill.
Your name has been a great
help and inspiration, and 1 wish personally to
thank you for being one of us.
Sincerely yours,
President.
UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
PHILADELPHIA
May 24, 1916.
MT. W. H. Meadoworoft,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
My dear Sir:
I beg to acknowledge, with thanks, the
reoeipt of your letter of May 23rd, and also of the
photograph of Mr. Edison.
Kindly convey to Hr. Edison ray warmest
thanks for his courtesy in presenting to the Towne Scien¬
tific School his signed photograph, and assure him that
the same will be very much appreciated.
Thanking you for your ooxirtesy in the mat-
Yery truly,
,/U Q/jui *■ -
v or
ter, I am,
A*SR>§-
H.1K ^okas-Maarffle Go,
T. !3S", Kxuontlvu Oiriomtl TK§ CABLE ADDRESS MaKSft*
UMMU MjwYo.1l VBK WAROJOHNSNEW’ KKPlB“ui
■ss ,M®* e,
H 'sewete.V* ESTABLISHED IBSB oanvilleC
Madison Avenue iv-Msi.Slrcol
NewYorlt. May 27, 1916.
Orange, New Jersey
Dear Sir: Attention of Mr. Meadoworoft.
We have had a little correspondence with yon in
regard to using an illustration of the phonograph works
in one of our catalogs. Your letters on this subject
were dated April 12th and May 2nd.
It was agreeable to you that we use pictures of
the phonograph works, but not of the chemical plant.
In this connection we are attaching printed proofs of the
catalog pages and in order there will be no possible mis¬
understanding, we would thank you to look over the two
illustrations which are attached and let us know whether
or not these are the phonograph works as we believe them
to be.
In view of your permission to allow us
picture of the phonagraph works, but not of the
plant, we are specially anxious that there by r
standing on this point.
We would appreciate it very much if you would be
kind .enough to pass on these illustrations Monday and re¬
turn them to us with your reply, as we are already to go
to press as soon as this point is settled. You will
understand of course that these are just rough printed
proofs and that the plant will show up much clearer and
better in the actual printing.
Yours very truly,
While all industrial people over he:
general way with at least some of the many phases of your wort,
hardly any can form a conception of the magnitude of the operatic
conducted in your research and manufacturing laboratories.
i write to ask whether you would care to furnish me wit
any particulars, and especially photographs, which would serve th
purpose I have in view.
’ I should much appreciate any assistance you feel able 1
give me in this matter.
Yours faithfully
(9[j(^ (Y) & (-tswsvviq
H . I .E . E . Mem . A . I . E . E .
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Wm . H. lieudow croft
fj Tbowias A. Edison Laboratories
Orange, N. J,
My Dear Mr. Meadoworoft;-
7/35/16 \^jy
J yY
* of
X)'
I have a favor to ask of you —
The old soldiers of Waterloo, Iowa,
have an unusually active G. A. R. Post there considering the
fact that the Boys in Blue are getting pretty old.
The City of Waterloo, and the various
organizations that are affiliated with the G. A. R. between them
provided the Old Soldiers with what is known as a G. A. R.
Memorial Hall. The City furnished the plott of ground ana the
building was raised by subscription.
It is a beautiful little plant and
not long ago Mr. Edison in the goodness of his heart sav7 fit to
agree to write them his t>ereone-l cheok for about *>35.00 or «50.00
V.I have forgotten whioh>to apply on an Edison Disc Phonograph which
they bought and for which local friends had made up the money to
buy,
I was in Waterloo, last week and of
oo’irse made it a point to call on these old Soldiers to see ho v they
were pleased with their instrument and to favor myself by seeing
their plant.
I cannot begin to tell you of the warm
spot that Mr. Edison holds in all of their hearts beoause of his
genorosity, andtee wish was expressed to me by one of -the "boys"
that they wished very much to have an autographed portrait of Mr.
Edison and I made a mental note to see if I could not seoure it
through you for them.
This G. A. R. Memorial Hall is devoted
to things military, but they told me that if they oould get a picture
of Mr. Edison, that it would occupy a place of honor on their
walls.
Do you suppose that you could arrange for me, to have such
a pioture supplied, and have him inscribe with his o wn hand about
the following — ■? _ ’ • .
"To the Boys in Blue of Waterloo, with greetings from h
^Thomas A. Edison" , ^
This certain!^ would be appreciated by me as a personal
favor. / j
On the other hand if you feel that I am over bold in
making fhis request I shall deem it perfectly proper for you to decline
my request if cir cuinatances should necessitate your doing so.
ply /own kindest personal y
/ Very truly y<^
!h
e S' ^ \
q/ / /
\\-
\ \
S ££ Cdb-tru^
Boat’d of Public Education
DALTON. GA.. Sept. 28th. 1916 191
The Edison Talking Machine Company
Gentlemen; -
«*!.«. *>«.*. SMiirr.i.foi'SSSiM
A. Edison to hang in the od deal 0f painB to nicely deoo-
whieh the ladies are taking^ ^s^iring portrait for the
600Sohildre!i to learn to knowand^to ^“"^^greltly appreciate
can put us in the way ° s® fn a nuraher of your agencies just
S Kw a portrLKar^u d like - """
would frame it properly and hang in our hall 01 iw
(W.
Jen*'* ro ^
Yours very truly
Chairman Board Public Education
0 City of Baiton Ga
r.
October 5, 1916,
Mr. luder:
Willyou please let me have one of the group
pictures of the U. S. llilitary Telegraph Corps. This
is the small group. You will note Mr. Edison says this
gentleman can have one.
W.H.MEADOWCBOBI.
October 13,
1916.
Mr. Albort ... Orton,
home, iiow York.
Dear Hr. Orton:
I h*?ve i-ocelved your note of the
1st instant, and in glad to comply with your re¬
quest by sending you a copy of the group photo¬
graph ox .ho 3. S. Military telegraphers .
I aa glad that we have gotten an oppor¬
tunity of photographing this group.
Shanking you for your good wishes for
myself and wife. She are heartily reciprocated.
Yours Tory truly.
The Western Union Telegraph Company
r"^s"
\ if or# ^ Washington. D.C.. '
\ \r i K v
fhos. A. Edison Esq, \ L*/
' " yf*>
A.
f
East Orange, IT.J.X
Bear sir:-
On the occasion of the. meeting of the "Oia Eimers" at your
place, X was fortunate to be\ present as one of the "Old Military Boys",
from Washington, and was mo r^ fortunate, which I appreoeiated to the
fullest extent, in being in a group pioture with yourself.
I have been wondering if i\t was possible for me to obtain a copy c
that picture taken by your photographer. I would consider it a very
great favor if you would try ta obtain a copy and mail it to me.
I remain,
Very sincerely^ yours,
Rome Box and Lumber Company ,
WHOLESALE DEALERS IN LUMBER
Packing
De
. Thomas A. lidis'
Orange, IT..T.
w Mr. Kdi son : -
_ OCIL
I wish to thanh you for the photograph of the Old Elmers
arfi U.S. Military Teleprapher Operators which yon seat ne anci which
co pood to no. If yen Vnew how much I will prise it you would he repaid
for your interest and the letter you sent ploased no very much.
X believe we. agree on a pood many things. T/e night differ
on our politics this fall hut I don't want t, argue this for we are
always to ho good frfcdmds and Comrades.
Ver/trul y yours
October 20, 19X6.
Mr. B. tv. Bender, c/o
V.estern Union '.Telegraph Co.,
Washington, D. C.
Dear sir
Beplying to your favor of the 16th instant,
let me say that there were two group pictures taken
of the "Old 'i’imorc" on the occasion of their visit to
ray Laboratory recently. One was of tho entire party,
ana the other was a smaller group of the 'Old Military
Telegraphers".
Chase photographs were made by Underwood &
Onder-weoa, hotographorn, 417 Ififth Ave., I Jew York City,
li.Y. I think that the; would be ablo to euprly you
gro’1 ^ co^ photograph of either 0110 of the Lie
Yourc v r; truly*
of the Plaza Hotel, Max Thomsen, who had the pleasure of making
your acquaintance, and .alBO had the honor of looking after your
accommodations for your last European trip, when we met in Paris
at the Majestic Hotel. On /our return from the trip you were
kind enough to present me with one of your autograph photographs ,
which I still have in my possession and hold in very high esteem.
A close friend of mine here in Ohicago, Mr. Herman
Hahn, President of a large commission house, has hegged me to
writeto you to present his son who is a civil engineer, hy the
name of Herbert Hahn, with one of your autograph photos. His
father tells me that this is his life ambition, and his father
ia very anxious to help the boy realize this ambition as Christmas
is now approaching .
I told him that I would ask you to do so, and that
I was quite positive you would grant his revest, which will be
highly appreciated by all of ub.
j „ tor. in Ohio.,0 to toll. » Hotel on tto rtpU
of tto Plto., fork, .idol. 1. to t» Wonted in . ~.t id.nl .pot
on the lake front, and a special feature will he an up-to-date
electric grill, as I have a very good friend employed in the
Commonwealth Edison Company who has promised to assist me with
this feature. The hotel will he opened about September 1st, 1917,
and I will take the liberty of Bending you Borne literature on this
beautiful place in hopes that I may again have the honor of your
patronage when in Chicago .
WiBhing you and Mrs. Edison A Merry Christmas and
Happy Hew Year, I beg to remain, with kindest personal regards
YourB very sincerely, ~
V. S. Mr. Herbert Hahn's address is 6739 Hewgard Aye ., Chicago .
Should you prefer mailing the photo to me, kindly send
it care of the Kaiserhof Hotel.
hoc onbor 10,1
Hr . Max Yhonson,
c/o Haitorhof Ho to a,
Chici.f-o, Ill.
Your favor of tho 3 th inetunt
to - 'r . hdieon van rocoivod and I broa ht it to
hie attention at once. Ho hat autocra: .hod a
photo for . x. Horbort Hahn, in accordance .Tilth
your roeuoet, and I an nailing it to you under
Be. ari.to cover, to that you nay have the oppor¬
tunity of laosontirv’ it.
i.h‘ . ~diton it ontrenely busy on cono
Gpocic.1 exnerlnon.i and Iv.e ro- net tod no to v.rito
this letter for hi...
Ho wishes mo to ost;nd In hit ochalf hiB
withes to you for a Herry Chris tra&B and & Happy
How Yoor, in which I bop to bo allowed to join.
Yours vary truly.
..eeltuvnt to . r. ..die on.
A/1&91.
Docombojj 27,1‘JlG
, Ur . Uax Shomson,
o/o Xaisorhof Hotel,
Chicago, Ill.
note, and I ho,.„ „„„ ..
in which it is written
writing you a littlo personal
will accept it in the spirit
Ono of our important people has just re¬
turned from Chicago, and told no that ho saw Ur. . •
Edison's photograph inscribod to you standing in a
placo in the window of a Cafe among a lot of'bottles
o-1 liquor, ote. I rather think that you may not
know of this, as I an sure you will not think it a
dignified place for a photograph of Mr. Edison in¬
scribed to yourself, and I thought I would drop you
a lino, as X am sure you would not caro to have our
pooplo critlclso it in Ur. .Edison's personal presence.
I remain,
Wishing you the Complinonts of the Season,
Yoursvory truly,
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Edison General File Series
1916. Automobile (E-16-05)
This folder contains correspondence about Edison's personal vehicles
and about automobiles in general. The correspondents include chief engineer
Miller Reese Hutchison, A. William Almquist of the Edison Storage Battery Co.,
and Andrew L. Riker of the Locomobile Co. of America.
Approximately 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected items consist primarily of order slips for parts.
May 31,
1916.
As you are aware, the right rear wheel of your
Simplex oame off recently, due to breaking of the outside hall
hearing.
Suoh accidents can only he safeguarded against
hy regular inspection of your oar, at which' time all spring
clips, nuts, wheel hearings, eto. , should he gone over.
Almquist tells me that he requested Mrs. T’dison
about Dix v.eeks ago that she send the oar down to the ..abor-
atory about onoe a month for inspection, hut this has not
boon done, heoause the oar has been very busy.
A locomotive is thoroughly inspected after each
250 mile3 service, and it is running on rails. An automobile
should be inspected at least onoe a month.
jEoccmobile
Company of America
Juno 16, 1916.
3 ("v
d A-<£- £-t~sLa.' ,
My
^ kw ■
rl- y<7W^-
-f^-vXc, l 1 Uvve4-*-~
olja.o^
w .__ ,5 i'vr< pXc^ vua«v^.£&.
Thomas Edison. .
Orange, Sew Jersey,
dear Mr, Edison: J \jArot
I understand that yi
the purchase of a Locomobile Touring Car and
thero is some question as to whether our 1917 oar
has sufficient clearance for your needs. If you
will be good enough to advise me just what clear¬
ance you desire, it is possible we may be able to
meet your wishes in this respect.
Awaiting the favor of your reply, I am,
Yours very truly,
^ A ^ •
bT l^goe-P^^dent. p
ffViC.
Jjocomobile
The Greene Motor Gar Go.
1)0 WASHINGTON HTRKRT
NEWARK. N. J., June 21,1916
Dear Sir:-
4 ^ f cir
I fj. -f* JAm p'-t?W<e
I beg to thank you for your order for a locomobile y
Limoueine. The trim of this cor will be arranged to lire. Edison’s v'
satisfaction in the next day or so. /
At the time you deoided on the Limousine, I spoke to you
about making a comparison of the Locomobile olearanoe and your Simplex
clearance, and since that time have been thinking that for the class
of travel you described to me, and over the roads you say you want to
use the car, a car equipped with a straight axle, giving you at least
17 inches olearanoe from the axle, and the placing of blocks of about
2-1/2 inches, under the front and rear springs, would give the fly¬
wheel a olearanoe of approximately 18 to 20 inchest and since you are
fond of a ohain drive oar for this service, 1 would suggest that the
1911 Simplex in service for your worksbe considered and rebuilt in
this way. I have re-oonstruoted many oars for desert and mountain
travel in the South-West and throughout Nevada and California mining
seotions and am positive that with the above arrangement, ample clearance
would bo given for any road in the eastern part of the United States.
If this were done, and we could interest you in one of
our seven-passenger touring oars for service about your works, we would
be glad to handle the matter of the reconstruction of the Simplex, as
outlined, if you care to take care of the expense in the matter, which
I would estimate roughly to amount to between $1000.00 and $1300.00.
In addition to the above, we have received a letter from
our faotory, giving us copy of the letter written you by our Mr. Hiker,
and if you have considered our oar in connection with your service,
I imagine Mr. Hiker would be glad to work out anything within reason
for you.
If you care to make an appointment when I can see you and
talk the matter over, I will be very glad to hear from you and meet you
at any hour of the day convenient.
Thanking you kindly for your order and hoping to hear from
n the above matter, I am
John 0.0 ale:,
DISTRIBUTOR
Simpuex AxnoMOBim
240WEST89WSTREET
New York.
As per my agreement , if
you find that the clearance of your
Simplex touring car is not sufficient ,
I will block up the springs to increase
it., at no additional charge.
Yoiirs very truly,
^7. '2-
for John G. Dale.
V/ffH*® ‘
V -
<Jk
July 28, 1916.
Mr. Edison:
X believe the following report will be < “L^q^Tioe
to von re. the Ford auto that was overhauled in the jord Service
Plant in Long Island City two weeks ago.
I have now taken the engine down, and find it has
been incorrectly assembled, and two cylinders so badly burned
as ?o make ?hem absolutely’ useless. The pases , vjhen compressed,
shoot into the crankcase due to the scorching of t „ . ,
and the engine cannot be started when it is warm.
Wo have telephoned to the Ford Company, requesting
that they send an inspector here to witness the overhauling
job done by their company at a cost of §lib.9,i.
This car has been run 24000 miles in one year,
which you realize is rather unusual for any car.
This car was taken out of my hands and used in
Silver Lake, and has not been- in the company's garap-e day or
night for more than five months.
The attached correspondence regarding this car
will be of interest. Please return same for my files, alter
you have finished with it.
Respectfully,
'lit'
cdW
Mr.
A. a*.' Hiker,
Locomobile Co. of America,
Bridgeport, Conn.
Dear Sir:
This is to confirm night letter cent you By
Dr. Hutchison, via Uoatorn Union last evening:
JO. EDISOH SAYS PLEASE HAVE .VESCINGUQUSE AI-i SPEIHGS PUj
OK CHS LOCOMOBILE ..IMOUSIHE HE QSDEHED.
II. I. UUSCHISOH.
Che above is, I feel, self -explanatory.
Edison General File Series
1916. Aviation [not selected] (E-16-06)
This folder contains unsolicited correspondence requesting Edison's
advice, assistance, or opinion on matters related to aviation. The
correspondents consist of aviators, inventors, enthusiasts, and journalists.
Some of the items pertain to Edison's role on the Naval Consulting Board.
None of the letters received a substantive reply. Many bear a notation
indicating that a form letter was sent in response, stating that Edison did not
consider the inventions of others.
Edison General File Series
1916. Bates Numbering Machine [not selected] (E-16-07)
This folder contains correspondence with F. H. Stanard, a traveling
repairman who offered Edison his ideas on improving the Bates "7-movement"
numbering machine manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. There are also
interoffice communications among sales manger F. A. Burnham, assistant
chief engineer John P. Constable, and vice president Carl H. Wilson regarding
their decision not to pursue Stanard's proposition.
Edison General File Series
1916. Battery, Storage - General (E-16-08)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the
technical and commercial development of Edison’s alkaline storage battery in
the United States and abroad. Among the documents for 1916 are numerous
testimonial letters, which Edison solicited from customers after an explosion
aboard an E-2 submarine in the Brooklyn Navy Yard in January raised
questions concerning the safety of Edison's batteries. Related documents can
be found in E-16-22 (E-2 Explosion).
Also included are items pertaining to negotiations with Vickers, Ltd.,
concerning British manufacturing rights. The correspondents include Edison’s
chief engineer, Miller Reese Hutchison; longtime Edison associate Samuel
Insull; John F. Monnot of Edison Accumulators, Ltd.; and mathematician and
electrical engineer Charles P. Steinmetz.
Approximately 50 percent of the documents have been selected. The
material not selected consists primarily of letters of transmittal and
acknowledgment and unsolicited correspondence that received no substantive
response from Edison.
January 7 / ISl&i*.
1 thJ’
in our Physical!, phooratory exploded, about a week
ago. S&s
y^T,, .... vL< - v Che battery /‘7T"<i.
U/C4A^I l*»*.
If the plates *"
C'VJlL ' 1a_^
allSlppe prance 3 the cell was in
during the charging of .the bit1
bi^Lv-tJ** Wv
burst the container Pjd bent si
very badly.
normal condition with the oxoepti^n^ of tty; f&ct
that the 1-
rt.twVfJtSjfefeSr -«. M*. f '
r of an eai-ly
occurrence? Iiay I ask the favor
reply?
Yours very truly,
Principal.
m, QjMsti,
2nykn20 NX 834}>ni
ex Chisago Ilia Jan 24th 1916
Urn H Meadowcroft
Edison Laboratory Drange H.J.
Tell Mr Edison I will bring back with me all
data and prices on Jenny motor he asked Oenersl Electric
man for this I expect to see Mr Eord tomorrow
Df G Boa •
Ur. Edison:
I am non ready to take up the matter of the
Walker truck representation, for selling to the Government.
1 su<r^e3t that you dr on Ur. Insull n note,
at your convonienoe, tolling him you think it would ho a
o-oo'd plan. We can do it under the name of J£r. Uoran.
v;ho is with me now, and lot the whole transaction ho in
his namo so as not to prejudice us by the truck makers
against the Edison Battery by such an arrangement.
I v/ant to so aggressively after this work,
and am taking it up with Ward along the same lines ±or
the smaller trucks.
2ho specifications arc being written at toe
present time, covering the electrical trucks for the Pos
Office Department, and I want to nit the iron while it
is hot.
1 would write the letter for your signature,
ox copt that Ur. Insull 's connection of many years with
yon is of such nature as to render it bettor, I luink,
for you to word it in your own lannuago.
HUl'OUIGOI! .
7 3
GENERAL VEHICLE 00. ELECTRIC TRUCKS
OPERATING UNDER
THE EDISON BATTERY SERVICE SYSTEM
AND
THE MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
WHERE TRUCES ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD.
The following figures may safely be taken as the maximum cost of all
operating items except drivers' pay.
The figures are based on twenty-five working days, per month. In
many lines of business the trucks are worked for more days, per month,
in which case the daily cost is lower.
The average mileage, per day, as given, in no way prevents the truck
from greatly exceeding this mileage on certain days.
The figures include:
GARAGE space including ordinary greasing and oiling} a fixed item.
BATTERY SERVICE which is on a mileage basis and subject to variation
only as the charge for this service may be again reduced in the future.
TIRES as guaranteed by maker, which is about 20g more than actual “
practice.
MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT which takes complete care of the mechan¬
ical and electrical upkeep of the truck, labor and material included.
This contract is for a fixed sum, per year, and 80< of saving which
should be made is returned to owner and driver.
Where upkeep cost exceeds the amount of contract, the owner pays
one half of the excess. Such an excess should never occur. If it does,
a careful investigation is required.
Average per day. 750-lb. 1000-lb. 1-ton 3-ton 3$-ton 5-ton
8 miles
12 "
20 »
30 »
40 "
50 "
THE HARTFORD ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.
VEHICLE DEPARTMENT.
$1.33
1.46
1.74
2.05
$1.59
1.75
2.07
$1.98
2.17
2.56
3.00
3.39
3.73
3.29
3.89
4.45
$3.17
3.54
4.27
5.08
5.69
$3.61
4.04
4.93
5.92
6.72
7.42
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
HARTFORD TIMES, JANUARY 31, 1910.
running his gas truck to be gasoline and oil plus some tires in the
distant future, this increase seems a very serious matter and m
realitv it is serious enough. But the cost of gasoline is not the only
cost of running a truck or even the decisive factor.
Gasoline Given Away
Would Leave the Superior Economy
of G. V. Electric Trucks Untouched
The real cost of operating commercial vehicles is rapidly be-
line known to business men. The increasing price of gasoline
merely emphasises the advantage
omy. Such an increase does not '
under lower prices and which wo
• electric in point of econ-
a fact already proven true
ill be true if gasoline were
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
120
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN
Founded 1845
Published by Munn'£ Co., Inc., 233 Broadway,
SCIENTIFIC AlMlCAN
if, mechanical anil imlualrlaf
'a Journal, II la In a poll-
■e/upmcnla hejure then
our continental positioi anil humonso littoral
mill out' Brent foreign eonnneree entitle ns to.
The paper, which will he pnbhtfhcil In the Sura.n-
must ot January 20tli null February Bill, Is recoin-
intituled to every one who would ho Informed on this
I problem of vital national Interest. Indeed, it Is the
duty of every American citizen to acquaint MniseUwItU
The Peril of the Submarine
io submarine, modern warfare has reached n
in, ix of fright fulness. Not only Is the subma-
ie frightful In the destruction It metes out to
my, but in the horrible death It Is over read.v m
relax their vlgHnnci." It’ has increased the dltllcultles
of navigation tenfold by the addition of a third dimen¬
sion to Its direction of travel. Stone blind, In l»lt(,h
a droadmi'nght and send It
that are Indispensable to the
no dantter of leakage, and not until tat mini
vessel is tilled with water to a level of several
alKivo the top of the blit batteries Is there any
blllty ot forcliiB salt water Into them. When i
marine has reached as serious a condition as th
chances of the crew are decidedly hopeless, ei
. lo Intending to eliminate one dnnitcr, however, . p £.
tho nickel-iron battery has llitelisllled another danger. yV _
Fully twice an much hydroiten Is itlven olt by tho hill- ^
sou "buttery as bv the standard lead battery, which Is .
practically universally used. Furthermore, as the car¬
bonic bus In tho air has an Injurious effect upon tho ,
caustic electrolyte, the Individual cells of the battery ;
are not properly ventilated. This results In the forma¬
tion of an explosive mixture ot hydrogen ami oxygen .
gases which Is always coullned In the cells. j
. . '-plosion hi tho K-2 the other day was umlouiit-
to the large volumes of hydrogen given otr by
iiitiiocv while It was being subjected to
AW
...,ll continuing lls hearings and h
blame for tho accident. However,
out from the llmllngs ot the ttoi
tlmt the lilckel-lrou l
nothing to tho safety
element of danger wl
type of battery.
Investigation
while adding practically
submarine, Introduces an
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
^,,-rrefii s-ro,zA&
' CuU. ~ <&«r,
.CovJss} ■ '--''a*
Y. V<3te$//Jfrv\ - • V.1
iitc4v ^Au-I f'- ^ dtk^)
a rtuZC vJL*{ /v ^rAf'
C .# ■:.. i/}.-;. /£* ,
IfaTCmfi t\ 'V*
' L\f)r 'f* { ■, t-r)}*\
dTlrS'V v *</ ^j'7'i'V —
iuJ>^' nrvyrVK
)
jU V^ Li<^i cS-JLw'tt?
ft- uM, V****
-Ci JUl3<r
’ — ~ 2 — /
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
February 10, 1916.
Mr. Edison:
I have been giving considerable thought to the
matter of our relations with the General Electric Company and
to the V.'estinghouse Company, and wont to lay the following
points before you as being actual facts and not personal
deductions:
Electric
for the G
ing G. E.
to time,
for Ediso
might be
G. E. Co.
1. A friend of ours, said to the General
people, not long ago,. "Edison is doing a good deal
. E. by using nothing but G. E. apparatus and boost-
to the extent of recommendations, oto. from time
On the other hand, the G. E. Company is not doing much
n and it seems to mo that in this come otion
a* good thing". She reply was "It is the policy of the
to dukmome for an enemy as to winning over then for
a friend already won".
2. V.'e are giving considerable business to the
General Electric Company, in the way of small motors, etc.
As a matter of fact, we are paying about five percent more
for these goods than we could purchase them for if we
laid the entire matter open to competition, and even under
such conditions finally awardod the contract to the General
Electric.
3, While Soorge Westinghouso v.'as alive , the
V.'estinghouse Company did not do very much for the Edison
Intorests. But now that George TVestinghouse is dead, and
other intorests have oomo in, tho situation is entirely re-
versed. As a matter of fact, the V.’estinghouse Company nas
proven itself and is proving itsolf a much better friend to
us than tho General Electric Company. i?or instance, the
V.'estinghouse Company is now developing an industrial baggage
truck etc. for use about industrial plants. Orders came
direot from Pittsbugh to the Hew York end of the line to come
out hero and take the matter up with Edison exclusively, for
use of the Edison Battery and no other battery in thaso
baggage trucks. She matter i3 under way and development is
proceeding in a satisfactory manner.
4. It seems to be the
V.'estinghouse men that the V/estinghous
go into the manufacture of commercial
there are distinctly Edison from the
concensus of opinion among
le Company ill, intime,
trucks. All their engineers
standpoint of the Edison
-2-
Storago Battery. They aro using Edison Batteries exclusively
in their mining locomotives, and are Boosting the name and the
Battery for all it is worth.
5. In view of the rank deals we have received from
the hands of the G. E. Company in times past, and aro now re¬
ceiving, and in view of the fact that the V.estinghouse Oompany
and its treatment of us is quite the antithesis of the G. E.
Company, do you think it fair for us to give all our Business
to the General Electric Company? They come out here, make
filial protestations, etc. to you, and then turn right su. are
around. Behind your Back, and act quite contrary.
6. I quite understand your feeling toward the G. E.
Company as having Been the company which you started, etc..
But sometimes oven a son or daughter can comport himself
or herself in such manner as to entirely alienate the
affections of the parent. It appears to me the G. E. Company
is in such a class.
7. Take, for instance, the matter of the incandescent
lamp for motion picture machines. V.'e loaned the Harris on Lamp
Works two projecting machines. V/e made for them two pieces
of film for testing the lamp alongside of the arc lamp. ”e
gave them technical advice in the liete of motion picture
work. They norfect an incandescent lamp as the final result
of the original request made By us for the incandescent lamp
for the Home Kinotosoope, years ago. V/hen it is ready, thoy
tell the Power Company all about it, and the Power Company is
now laying out a lamp house, etc, to Be ready to put the
apparatus out on the Powers Machine. It sooms to mo it is as
little as the G. 3. Company could have done to have givsi the
Edison Company at least one year's exclusive jiso of the
inoandosoont lamp Before letting anybody else in on it. You
would have done as much or more for the G. E. Company.
0. The sooner we realise the fact that the G. E.
Company is Being operated from V/all Street, with all the
cold Blooded, non-sontimental actions and policy of wall
Street, the Bettor o^fv^lwill Be.
M. ii. HUTCHI30II.
CU • v 't&\ in r '//v'-a/A
'Yi'VYf c\ (/ ' Yj • ■
'YyvP/%\
c4i -
|)m RQ[T'lAXlCAB &JMXSFBR Qx
mMOKSKKKIS
GenT, Office 42-44-46 R-\ndoi,i>ii St.
vv\
&
V
Detroit Fab . 35th.,
19 16.
Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey
Dear Mr. Edison::-
Penlvin.g to your communication of the
23rd., we desire to say that our experience
with your battery iri service with this
connanv has been such that it completely
substantiates the previous experience and
recommendation of cur engineer.
The unfortunate experience the United
States Government had in the U.S.S. R-3, does
not necessarily decide the merits of your
battery. This statement is borne out
by the fact that ether trouble has occurred
recently resulting in the loss of life, an
example of which bsinsc the submarine which
failed to return to the surface, resulting
in the death of the entire crew. The writer
has in mind the under-sea boat that was
sunk in the Pacific Ocean.
Tie commenced using your battery here
in an experimental car some two years ago.
He have *since than added to cur equipment
from time to time until at the present time we
are operating some thirty setB of batteries.
We are at the present time increasing our
equipment and will in the course of a few
months have in oueraticn seventy-live batteries.
So far, vie have not heard of anyone, particular¬
ly those in daily contact with these batteries,
being in need of medical aid in order to -restore
them' to health. He believe such a statement
can be only made by persons, who speak of
something with which they are not at all
familiar.
Regarding the safety of the operation
of the two different types of battery, we
believe that no doubt exists in any mind
competent to judge this matter that the menace
of operation is greater with the lead than
with your alkaline type of battery. Further
we believe this statement to be borne out by
)]>!' w (ht|axt t jAB &JMMM G—
TCTl.'T)UA\n? TAXICABS MAIN 5020
1 tLbnlUKJ/ BAGGAGE MAIN 5353
Gen’l Office 42-44-46 Randolph St.
Detroit Feb. 25th.,
Ur. Thomas A. Edison.
the fact that wherever intelligent thought
has been brought to bear on the use of
storage batteries, it has resulted in the
use of the Edison Battery.
That the lead battery interests are leaving
no stone unturned to discredit the Edison
Storage Battery seems very logical to me.
It is' only necessary to review the history
of the lead batterv for the last fifteen years
to realize that up to the time that it was
possible for these people to install their
battery on gasoline cars for intermittent and
temporary service, they had made practically
an absolute failure cf any and all commercial
applications. Because they can 3ee their
early elimination from a field in which they have
sunk millions by a superior product, induces
them to put up a fight by fair means, or foul
to exist. I have nc hesitancy in saying
that if this matter is sifted to the bottom
by an unbiased body of men, competent to judge,
that ycu will come out with flying colors.
Proof of all our contentions and statements
is the fact that we are making a success .
9lectric car business, and attribute -he greatest
share cf this favorable shewing tc the performanc
cf your battery.
If you care to use any of the -above statement
for repetition, or otherwise, you are at liberty
Sincerely ycurs,
DETPCTT T^O/B % TRANSFER COMPANY
Ry-<
EDISON ST 0 until: II
Complete Steamship Plan
Installed
Ytfch*t and Power Boat
1 Equipment.
Search Light, Storage Bot-
Prlvate and Municipal Light-
All kinds of Alter.
Direct ci
Sngmmwg QIo.
MARINE ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS.. — <; .
AND CONTRACTORS ^ j
1S3 Liberty Street
II CORTLANDT
New Yo^ FG"rUary 38 ’ 19^-
^ /
Mr. Thomas A. 'Edison, ....
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:-
We trust you will pardon our delay? in answering y°»r
+inn n-f the 23rd inst. regarding your Storage Batteries, as the facts uhi.n
we are Eoing to Bring to four at tent ion. happened some years afo,anlwe
wished fo tike a little time to refresh our memory regarding details, Before
writing you.
First we mi°ht say that we have purohnsed, installed and operat-
-sss srJz 5S “M as/svif *.
handle your Battery in July 1910.
y/e might also state that from the Beginning of the use of Lead
spaoe for necessary up-keep and a SMjility of providing proper space
and Owners have never realized the advisability F in positions which
engineering.
SaSel by the ..plosion or Storege Bstt.ry gsses.
snoo.es In JTAS ^
aSSTSSSSs.”.'.!: - - ~™
ss aSJSrSS«3.5ffiSS
a Lead Storage Battery.
We might mention one instance of the Schooner Yacht "Atlantic",
Thos. A. Edison.
II-MEKK13R li. «GINI3EEING C
which had a set of Gould Batteries originally installed in a compartment
underneath the owner's state room. Due to their being a very slight leak
. in one of the hard rubber jars, a ground was formed and before long the
cell was empty, the acid being held in a pocket next to the hull and before
this was discoverea.it had almost eaten through the plating of the vessel.
Shi. accident together with the ruining of the carpets in the room above
from the gases, made it necessary to move the 3attery to another part of the
vessel.
The writer personally had a rather unpleasant experience with
this same Battery, when he happened to be on board of the Yacht looking at
the damage done by this accident, when the Assistant Engineer accidently
touched the terminal post with a portable light, making a short circuit
which caused three of the cells to blow, with the result that besides the
damage to the cells, the writers as well as tne Engineers clothes were
ruined.
Of course, it is needless to say that with your Battery none of
the conditions mentioned above could have existed. As for the comparative
danger from gLes between your battery and the various lead types we will
Bitfthe following instances, which will give you a fair idea of the
experiences which we have had in connection with this point,
Some few years ago, Mr. ffm. K. Vanderbilt, had on board his
Steam Yacht "Tarantula" between thirty and fourty oells of type E-15
Chloride Accumulator. They were located beneath the galley floor in a oom-
paitment that was not properly ventilated, although the ^°°r.”a®n?^i^o
over the Battery. The Assistant Engineer raised a trap door t o go down into
this compartment , when there was a terrific exp! oBion which sent him to the
Hospital for a number of weeks and wrecked that part of the boat.
installed in’S/IXeVfS £&“..* S.TS !\°3S Ig***
through the deck. Fortunately no one was hurt.
A year ago this last summer, the 200 ft. Steam Yacht "Oolonia",
owned by Mr. Albert Smith of the Vitagraph Co., had an explosion which was
Ac dumul at o r , whi lb that on the Cristina consisted of 100 cell of type A o
Edison Battery.
The writer personally saw the Colonia as well as the Cristina
very ^07 «go«Jon. LjJSi^ifS^BatSry was
of^oonsiderably^les^than one-half the size of the Edison Battery. There whs
no ventilation on either one of these boats.
KMITII-MEEKEIl ENGINEERING CO.
the floor into the open lead cells. As soon as the Chief Engineer noticed
that there was trouble with the lights, he entered the battery compartment
and was almost over-come with Chlorine gas before he could get out. This of
course is a condition that would very rarely happen on board of a private
yabht , ' and could not, if their plumbing system had been in proper shape.
It is our personal opinion taken from our experience and
observation that all of our customers believe that the Edison Battery is
a safer less troublesome and more satisfactory Battery for our class of
work ^han any type of Lead Battery. We have installed between eleven
Thousand and twelve thousand cells of your Battery fo r > narine purpose a and
we can state that to the best of our knowledge there is not a. dissatisfied
amonp- this number. More than one-half of these cells have been sold
to men who have been dissatisfied users of any one of six different makes
of Lead Battery.
We trust the information which we have given you will be of
service to you aOd we will be glad to help you in any way we can at any time
in this connection, as we have tried out your Battery from every angle in
connection wUh our particular line of business and it meets our require-
ments in a most satisfactory way*
Yours very truly,
The SMIM7}$j2SP EHG/
cgm/l.
February 38, 1916.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq..,
Care Edison’s Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
My dear Mr. Edison:
I have your letter of the 33rd, with
relation to the data you want as to the safety of storage
batteries. I will have the information gathered and
sent you at an early date.
Yours truly.
Ak* O February 38', 1016
^ ;L/
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, K. J.
ily dear Edison:
y
}
I have followed with oonsiderable interest
the incidents connected with the introduction of your
nickel steel storage battery for submarine propulsion,
and noticed with the greatest regret, in connection with
the accident at the Brooklyn Havy Board, the extent to
which incompetency and commercial interests still in¬
fluence such serious matters as the preparation for
our national defense.
Without going into engineering details: there
are a few matters regarding storage batteries, which
are obvious to any engineer:
In any storage battery, the ampere hours input
during charge must be materially higher than the ampere
hours output during the discharge, and the difference
appears as hydrogen and oxygen. Every storage
battery thus is a potential danger of explosion, tf
the gases are not properly taken care of.
The essential characteristic of the nickel
steel battery, verified by general experience - in¬
cluding my own many years experience with lead batteries
and nickel steel batteries in my laboratory - is that
the nickel steel cell to remain in good condition, does
not require the regular care and attention, which the
lead battery requires. In my opinion, if there
is any place where the ability to stand neglect and
abuse is of vital importance, it is in the submarine
under service conditions. The conclusion from
this, in my opinion, is obvious.
There are other features, which are of importance,
even if secondary in ray opinion to that all important one
of the battery being there and in operative condition
when needed after the indifferent care or even abuse un¬
avoidable in service; such as tho greater mechanical
strength of nickel end iron, compared with lead; the danger
of corrosion from sulphuric acid, while alkali solutions
do not attack iron, but protect it; and the danger of
chlorine gas in oase of accidental entrance of sea-water
to the lead peroxide and acid of the lead battery.
In my experience, the lead battery is very
satisfactory as reserve or stand-by battery in an
electric station, and for similar service, where it
can be given regular and careful attention by expert
engineers, and is never abused, and where low cost
of the investment is of first importance; but v;here
such continuous care is not feasible, and reliability
is essential, the lead battery can not be satisfactory.
I hope you have got over the unusual dissipation
of staying at our Illuminating Engineering Society dinner
until midnight, and had a comfortable ride homo.
\7ith best regards,
Yours ,
shake the confide i
Battery.
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CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN RAIEROAD COMPANY
CHICAGO. Maro\l, W16 .
I
Mr. Chonas'TCr'SSison, ,\W'^
Orange, ITew Jersey. • ->V"
Dear 3ir:-
0n my return from the south I find your letter of
February 23d:
Your batteries heve been in service on this lino
since March, 191R, commencing with a test of twenty-five
cells. Mho number has since been increased at various
times until at present we hove eleven hundred cells in daily
use. The battery has given perfect service; we have had no
cells damaged by explosion of gases during charges; our bat¬
tery compartments are not specially arranged to accommodate
your cells, being the same as we formerly used for the lead
batteries. As far as our experience goes, there is abso¬
lutely no menace to life or health in the care of your bat¬
teries, in fact, they are better to work with than the lead-
sulphuric combination. I cannot possibly think of anything
that could be criticised in connection with your batteries.
Mhey have reduced our maintenance from nlS2i2Li2ll£«JS.r
exarvaa^ .^^t_eri?s_^^i_gh^.^?2:ia~-— • ^nl}ura for -y°Ur-
type , and this cost is figured after four years of _use .
You may use this letter in any way you please. X
am very glad indeed to be able to write it.
Yours very truly, ^
A \T\ Vi i /LlYA- —
OFFICE OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
OF MOTIVE POWER
Wilmington. N. C.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Dear Sir: -*• Oonxiaenvxaj.
I am in receipt of your confidential letter
of the 23rd ultimo, and take pleasure in complying
with your request to give our experience with Edison
storage batteries :
We have had no experience with storage
batteries, except in oar lighting service, in which we
have both Edison and lead batteries.
At the present time we have in service ,1026.
cells of Edison par lighting batteries, with an average
lake of twenty- two months, and a maximum age of forty-
eight months; and .464. cells of lead tatteries. (The
average, as well as the maximum age of the latter cell8-
is greater than the Edison cells, but it is impossible to
give an accurate idea of their average age, for the
reason that there have been many renewals and replace¬
ments, of which close records have not been kept.;
The Edison batteries have, up to the present time,
given much better service, longer life, with lower cost
of maintenance than the lead batteries.
'He have had.no explosions, of Edison batteries;
have had a'~fev7"explosions. of lead.. batteries, but none
'serTousT "'There was an explosion of a lead battery
under^a Eulimwi bar,' which set fire to the battery box,
and'would probably, have. burned. the car had not the
Tirebeen discovered promptly and extinguished.
you will note that I have confined my statement
to the age and comparative safety of the two types of
batteries, which I presume are the only points you
desire us to cover.
It is entirely agreeable to me to Bhow this
letter, confidentially, to the Secretary of the liavy.
hy dor.r
BALTIMORE, MD.
-V ^
syjrfy
Your letter or rchru-
0-: _l: .Jpccx.xpw "ix/ vc have no definite re
showing explosions that liave occurred with lend battorio
prior to three years ago . However, since the application
your bntterios v:e iiave kept accurate comparative data fo
a period or three years.
of
Shore Save ho on explosions in sots
of lend batteries end 5 in Ad icon batteries. As hot;' kinuo
of batteries jive off an inflammable pas, which is c.-ploaivc
under certain conditions, it is expected that there will he
slight explosions from time to title. ’Jhe lend batteries
which wo have been using are provided with "hard rubber
covers , mill the result of explosions is sometimes dangerous.
V/o have >ir.d some cases of personal injury to employee .
In eacli of the five explosions of
Jidison_bnttcrie3 there v:as no occasion when the explosion
c oiilu be cousidoreiTdangcrous, the greatest damage being simplj
the bulging out of the sides and top of the can. in but two
instances has the damage been sufficiently great to necessi¬
tate talcing' the batteries out of service , It is the opinion
of our Blootripal. Engineer, our oar lighting operating- men and
"others who have to handle tlio batteries that thoro is con¬
siderably less danger from the Edison than from tiio losul
battery .
I have no objection to your giving
this information to when you ploaso,but would not, of course,
caro to liavo it quoted in the* form of an advertisement.
esteem, and with hind
3 .A. liaison.
Orange ,Kew Jersey.
assurances of uy respect and
Yours very truly.
....
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■*OOLt*\ ■
CONFIDENTIAL.
A'V^ ; . t
March
A /
Thomas A. Edison, Esq., ^ \^t
Care Edison's Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
yV /v? fx
1-1 SX*^ f V*V<* ^
.. VP
\>
c\
0\v v
H> V
My dear Mr. Edison: j %
I have your oiroular letter, addressed to £ j
me as President of the Walker Vehiole Company, with relation^,
to the question of safety of your storage battery, and
enclose you herewith letter from Mr. Wm. A. Fox, Vioe
President of the Commonwealth Edison Company. Attached
thereto is a letter from Mr. E. 0. Schweitzer, Chief Test¬
ing Engineer of Commonwealth Edison Company; also a second
letter from Mr. Schweitzer to which is attached a communica¬
tion from Mr. Ernest Lunn, Chief Electrician of the Pullman
Company; also a letter from Mr. Qeorge R. Walker, General
Superintendent of the Walker Vehiole Company, all of whioh
I hope will be of use to you in connection with the Inquiry
you made of me. .
Yours truly ,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Commonwealth Edison Company
SUBJECT
date March 2, 1916.
Mr. Samuel Insull.
President.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your request I have made in¬
quiries of our Engineering Department for opinion on the
comparative safety in operation of the Edison battery as
against the lead types.
In addition I have obtained an expression of
opinion from Mr. Lunn, Chief Electrician of the Pullman
Company, on account of his great experience and position
of authority in the storage battery field.
Besides letters from our Mr. Schweitzer and Mr.
Lunn I attach also one from Mr. Walker of the Walker Vehicle
Company, whose opinion should have weight on account of his
familiarity with the operation of both types of batteries
in many scattered installations.
They all seem to point to a conclusion that there
is apparently little difference in liability to explosion,
while at least for motor truck propulsion the Edison battery
is the more desirable type.
a @zkc
Vice President.
PW.
Enc.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Commonwealth Edison Company
hate March 2, 19X6.
Hr.
Vta.A. Fox,
Vice President.
Dear Sir:-
He re with please find letters from Hr. Brnest Innn,
Chief Electrician of the Pullman Company, and from the writer
regarding the subject of Edison Storage Batteries, in accordance
with the conversation with Hr. G.A. Freeman.
I trust that these letters meet your requirements.
Yours very} truly ,
a!' 0
W
ClT t '
Chief Testing Engineer
EOS ;D — Enol.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
THE PULLMAN COMPANY
OFFICE OF TIIE CHIEF ELECTRICIAN
Chicago. Karen l a t , l s 1 6 .
i.'r . a . 0 . Schwo i 1 7. ar ,
Commonwealth 'idison Company,
]' orient i Washington Streets,
Chicago.
Confirming our cor. vern.it ion of this mo mins relative
to my exoorionco w i th Zidioon batteries while with the Commonweal th
liaison Company, and particularly during the several years tint I
was President of the Walker Vehicle Company of Chicago , rnnuf -io turor
of oouMoraial electric tracks; I have to say that the results were
uniformly good. Vehicle batteries of jail sizes wore used and to my
knowledge there was never any question as to the batteries deliver in
their full-rated capacity. Vo_ explosions due to ignition nr «•««
given off oy the batteries were ever reported. It was the practice
to properly ventilate the cattery compartments anu otherwise take
precautions to prevent such explosions. ■‘■’ho same precautions were
taken in case lead batteries were used.
Yours very truly -
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY. DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO March £, 1.916,
TO
SUBJECT: EBISOH STORAGE BATTERIES.
Bear Sir:-
Edlaon. Storage BatterieB in common with other types of
storage Batteries give off hydrogen gas while charging. When the
oharging operation is nearly completed the oells gas freely. Hydro¬
gen gas is highly inflamable and it is therefore necessary that the
battery compartments be well ventilated in order to avoid explosions
from the ignition of the escaping gases. The amount of hydrogen gas
given off by Edison Storage Batteries is greater than with the lead
batteries but there is no difficulty in eliminating practically all
danger from this source by proper ventilation.
She Commonwealth Edison Company has been using Edison
Batteries for The past seven years on its electric vehicles, and at
present has onehundred and twenty vehicles equipped with these
batteries. We are' told by Mr. C.E. Clark. Superintendent of Trans¬
portation. that during all of this time there have been only two
oases of trouble due to explosion of escaping gas. 3oth of these
oases ooourred while the batteries were being charged and were ;_o3*ax-
ly due to the fact that the battery compartments had not b»en opened
forfree ventilation. The damage done in either, of the above oases
^irae not material . Mr. Clark also stated that he does not consider
this matter of any real importance as it is not at all dlffioult to
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
COMMONWEALTH EDISON COMPANY. DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENCE
CHICAGO
Mr. Wm.A. Fox. - 2 -
have proper ventilation while oharglng. He also eeema to he well
satisfied with Edison Batteries in general, and considers them
nmoh more desirable than lead batteries for vehicle service.
Tours very truly v n
(ff (U
—"Chief Testing Engineer-/
HJC:D
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
$ULk*r © eliTcltf ©xrwpmtg
WALKER COMMERCIAL ELECTRIC .SHICLES
CHICAGO ELECTRIC PASSENGER VEHICLES
March 2, 1916.
Mr. V/illiam A. Pox, Vice President,
Commonwealth Edison Company, r .
72 ;7est Adams Street, Chicago, Illinois.
In response to your inquiry for my opinion as
to comparative safety of Edison Storage Baf a$L lead
hqf'teries will sav Ihat both types give ^ ,off , gas while 4
charping and both require .ventilation (simply the opening
-oT tfe doors or hoods of bhttery compartment! when on
chargl. The observance of this very simple requirement,
of not charging the batteries vrnile they are tightly en¬
closed v/ith no vent, removes all danger of explosion of
gas! as it is not given off in sufficient quantity unless
ft is allowed to collect in a tight compartment .Practi-^
Yours very truly,
General Superintendent.
EDISON BATTERIES
N4W
Norfolk & Whsthhn Hailway Company
ROANOKE, Va. ^arch 3, 1916. B/F
Mr. Thomas A. Edison, j/'*
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:
Referring to your confidential letter of February 23 in
referenoe to the use of your type of battery on the Norfolk
& Western road:
Beg to advise that the operation of your batteries on our
road for the past three years has been entirely successful from
every viewpoint. We have handled these batteries on and off the
oars in similar service where we originally .used the lead batter¬
ies. We have also had them under terminal charge where oars have
arrived with batteries exhausted, and we have never had the slight¬
est difficulty in handling them, either from an electrical or
mechanical standpoint, and the entire installation has been satis¬
factory.
Particularly in referenoe to the matter of safety, we have
absolutely no complaint to make, and the question of handling these
batteries by our usual oar lighting electricians has never caused
us any trouble whatever. We have never had a oase of gas accumu¬
lation which has caused us the slightest trouble with the oars in
operation on the road or standing at terminals on charge.
Yours truly,
The Hartford Electric Light Co.
»|£g|n Hartford, Conn. . .
.. i Marc/aL^', 1916.
&
Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
Edison Laboratory,
Orange, H. J.
^ i
Dear Sir:
in reply to your favor of February 23, 1916.
The Hartford Electric Light Company's experience with
storage batteries dates bach to 1896. and includes the bat¬
teries of lead types for Central Station work as well as thoe.
for vehicle work. This Company has used Edison Batteries in
vehicle work for the past five or six years to some. extent
and to a very large extent in the past three years.
The writer has been in personal charge of the Company
batteries since 1899. The question of ventilation, while an
important one, has never proved a serious one in our work. J
have, found it no more trouble to care for Edison batteries in.
this respect than for lead batteries.^
7/e trust that this is the desired information.
WHT:?S:
Yours very respectfully.
The Denver Gas and Electric Light Co.
J&'
r Lx
Mr. Thomas A. Edisi
Orance, 1
'' , s \ JUM4 s
nbH )i
i ' lv"'' , <5ei« -^TV
. I
lv
t X received your letter
mo the highest compliment
a privi
It is -.vith the Greatest "of pleasure tic
ar.d I consider your request for a statement from
I have met while in this work, and at the sano time, I consider it
loco to have the opportunity of stating to you that X, for one, appreciate
atot a wonderful contribution the Edison battory is to any nation, syndicate,
corporation or individual that may have an application for a storage hatter;;.
Inasmuch as I intond to add the weigh: of this Company's
statement over my signature, X will reply specifically on the second page.
X was a visitor at your storage battery plant and worlds in the
latter part of October and the first part of Ilovcmbor, at which time you
were in the West. 1 regrottod at that time your absence and my consequent
inability to moot you again personally, hut I was heartily and generously
welcomed by Messrs. Thompson, Ross, Jr., Smith and others, and ny visit
proved very entertaining as well as my receiving an educational advantage.
In the event that the enclosed letter is^tWation such
as you would consider offootive, kindly command my attention the second
iA /
M*' ,fA’ Very truly ^ jours ,
,*J- " lf‘‘ )
u £jr
The Denver Gas and Electric Light Co.
Eighth
19 16
,!r. 'fhomas A. Edison,
1 have road with considerable concorn and regret tho various^
articles appearing in newspapers and periodicals regarding tne accident
that recently befell the U.3. . E-2.
A3 a Storage Battery and Electric Vehicle Engineer of fifteen
years* experience, I cannot help but feel that all of these malicious
statements and attacks have emlnated from a lead battery source and aro
directed af^.ln:;t your battery. It is significant in the storage battery
world tliat all the lead storage battery manufacturers unicc oo attac..
the Edison battery when it is found to be a competitor, and their methods
of attack have not always been conducive to an intelligent knowledge of
storage batteries#
At the prosent time. The Denvor Gas A- Electric Light Company,,
which Company it ic now my privclcgc to servo, have in their service
nineteen Edison and fourteen lead batteries. Anout four years ago, ..o
had, I" believe, twoj;.dison and about toenty-two lead battorics of var¬
ious mhos, and the’ present condition 'indicates tho results of actual
nractieo and the expenditure of over v100,000.00 by this Cessrary. _u?.
W'reolau all of our lead batteries with. Edison for the. reason that
wo have found them to be preferable, and we have constdcrca thoroughly
the comvarative safety in operation of leadjuid Ed) son batteries ,
our investigation, practical use and engineorihg Intelligence h
"duced the fact3 that tho Edison is tho tr
e d03lrablo hatter;/.
e pre-
l the
V/o liave nevor had in Denver an explosion of any kind
part of an Edison batTeiy, but wo did have on explosion with a lead
tory which fractured forty jars in a forty-two cell hattory.
It is necessary that our vehiclos operate with great regular¬
ity and ahsoluto reliability. She slogan of this large Company and our
great syndicate. Homy L. Doherty & Company, ha3 always boon EER/ICE,
and with that end in view, we have found that tho Mison battor;;, duo
to its virtues, among which are 'continuity of service, reliability, and
'"ocohomjg of operation, his enabled us to servo our patrons upon our
regular promised scheduled
ELECTRIC LIGHT CO.
made in print by producer of load
« Q of the recent explosion, and in
s intentions wore nothing more than
and explanations wore s° ridicnl0^-
that X did not consider it worth
; that the Secretary of our hav;
the trust of this nation, will
103 of your battery, and if such is
ire be remembered longer than en
rero necessary, for my Compaq to ^o-
[d should thojidison be not avai^-blc
X
iukoL-
_ (Jtjlw* urtcu^.
_ p *.££»& <-'{- wW
Uax^'JJa \ ■ / "K/> w ti eJ^. _
<^&vv^*r\MKi ; n*s*i H-i-tcc w
A\rtriiyu( Jdrrm $%\ <P rf^o4
^idUL^r^ -K £cu,f* SiVh^i vn^
(^&l(Uij ,
<QLlk AA^WJ'W^i Cui/L miu-isr. ?n
Much <h s) d/<yK Av &vfw,*miu
f-H * ^wm J't-yyh-
Zi'UU/l/Oi !v£^ CL'i^- 'uoLl-'UxZaC^ h*~ AtX^__
ylr<l(£u u Ki irwdZ^
j/urw/3 ^ — 6i/Wi'C~C(Su\ h‘i\/i(fa<z
ftteA/h UtW *sO Ul 6t| VI/lC/
'^MjJs <K 'v\a A^~AjJaaa* '^U,
f 2-d K< (M- t/r. hxtM^ fjjrf ‘wykuoj •
^(u-a ~C(a..Ll^ S'-sl'K iA^fU-L^
Cc LU ) <^v\y ^ k~dJXu^
M-Hvy <r*°? K>IA/Jh * C
Ci S~l ^ ^-u:i (r*~&/'Y ^ -t-OsVj-
c- ^ ( \v.. Jn)L /i/isiajlA. \ •
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Q(u^n- -'Wul/l ‘ril'~
tp t d - l\ l-IslciI wh-UA^ cus^
-k^jrjVV i/r ■
Q^uo ^uA^v-u. mvh.
.-v> tmiirjwf }"*v + JT'T~
r ,t dhiyA-trty-
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^6y? Av XLi
Jp'VZs lA-L^O'Sl
(2Wy w. Yuv’h^ W\
t'
S-trYM-
<nrw$%.^
March IS, 1916.
Mr. Scligon1!'
Do you want Vickers to have a copy of the I.Ionnot
ft. A. HUECHISOIt
: i<dS-
J'
:/f\t
)> Vy/>
V" '
’I r .
Edison Batteries.
SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY COMPANY
Portsmouth, Va., March 21, 1916.
Your confidential letter of February 23rd.
As far as we are able to determine from our
records, there has been but one explosion of a car lighting
battery on Seaboard cars. This was of a J7illard lead
battery, and was caused by an internal short' circuit"*"1'
producing a spark and igniting the gases, and resulted in
blowing off the cover of one cell. We have experienced
no trouble whatever with Edison batte*rTea from"' this" cause'.
Our Electrical Engineer advises he has been given
to understand that the.rec ords of the Pennsylvania Railroad
and of the Baltimore . & Ohio, show that on those roads
.there has beeriydouble the number of explosions of load
batteri’ea' as c orapar edw i th Edison, and. that' in each case
„ '-he lead battery explosion has resulted in considerable
damage, whereaa..wlt h’ , the. Edis on
has been to di8tor.t th9,.flt,9.ei'ic"dntaiher,'''an(i''that' l'h''''e'very
jca8'e''i't''''ha8’'beeh. po.asible.. to press the Edi son "bait dry back"
into ''shape. ' . .
It is our opinion that the Edison battery is the
safest o^^srater',,‘l'v'“"“'‘r'v . .
Yours very truly,
orange, N.J. March 28, 1916
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Port Myers, Florida.
Dear Mr. Edison :-
After several conferenoes with Mr. Saville, we have prepared
a draft of a proposed agreement between yourself, Vickers limited,
and Edison Storage Battery Company, and I enclose herewith for your
consideration three copies of the same. The going into effect of
that portion of the contract which relates to the manufacture of
Edison cells for general purposes in the British Isles is, of course,
contingent upon a satisfactory arrangement being made with Edison
Accumulators limited, inasmuch as that oompany is now the owner of
the exclusive sales rights, with certain minor exceptions, for the
battery in the British Isles. Furthermore, you will note that if
that portion of the agreement which relates to the' manufacture and
sale of the battery by the Vickers Company for all purposes shall
become effective, the Edison Storage Battery Company will be ex¬
cluded thereafter from the battery businoss in the British Isles.
It is believed that some provision for a minimum royalty
should be inserted in the agreement, and this has been made tenta¬
tively $10,000 a year for twenty years after the manufacture of the
battery for general purposes is begun by the Vickers Company. Under
the agreement as drawn, after the expiration of said twenty years
-2-
the Vickers Company would pay no further royalty. We 'believe that
the agreement should provide for royalty payments extending over a
definite term of years rather than to attempt to make it a perpetual
arrangement, as we do not think that the rights granted and the cove¬
nants made by you and the Battery Company would be a sufficient con¬
sideration to support a promise to pay royalties for a period of time
without end. During the said twenty years, all of the royalties
are payable to you and the Edison Storage Battery Company gets noth¬
ing out of it.
It would seem that this agreement is of such a nature
that it should be either authorised or approved and ratified by
the Board of Directors of Edison Storage Battery Company.
Inasmuch as we have not hud an opportunity to consult
yoxi as to the details of this arrangement, it may be that you will
want certain changes made. Hr. Seville is anxious to have the mat¬
ter dosed xip as early as possible, and it is suggested that if the
contract is entirely satisfactory to you, two copies may be signed
by you now and we will send them to Hr. Wagner in London with in¬
structions that he deliver one of them to the Vickers Company upon
receipt of two copies duly executed by them. While Mr. Wagner will
deliver only one signed copy to the Vickers Company, it is proposed
to send him two signed copies by different steamers to provide
against possible miscarriage in the mails.
-3-
Do you v/ish a copy of this contract submitted to any one
in the Sales Department of Edison Storage Battery Company? Mr.
Thompson has asked me to let him see a copy of the contract be¬
fore the deal goes through.
Your British storage battery patents, ^ith their expira¬
tion dates, upon v/hich annual taxes have been paid up to date,
are as follows
Ho.
No.
No.
No.
Ho.
322 of 1903 - expires January 6, 1917
26948 of 1904 - expires December 10, 1918
1924 of 1906 - expires January 25, 1920
1928 of 1906 - expires January 25, u
401 of 1908 - expires January 7 , 1922
Yours very truly.
/L.
HL- JS
Llewellyn Park, Sunday,
March 28, 1916.
I am enclosing an article which appeared in the 'Vo rid
today. Every word of it is Gospel truth.
Last night the Chemical workB of the Lister £er*!?ul^u“
riil Chemical Works, on the Meadows, went up in smoke. The blaze
attracted ray attention, as from my house I can i see; for "“V e8>
I ascertained the location by calling up the ewark Star.
n,wftran an(i Georre Poppe on the joh and sent the Ford. searchlight
overdo offer itf use to the -ewark Chief. Also went down in my
car.
When the big blaze had died down so that all was serai -
dadkness, we drove the car into the yard of the 'forks and theChief
enthusiastically welcomed it. Put it at woek + at once, and it was a
revelation to note how that powerful beam out through the thick
smoke of smouldering oheralcalo.
mhe Fire Commissioner of Newark ’as brought over by the
Chief, and was very much impressed with the light. Told us
around to Fire w eadquart era tomorrow to quote on two complete out
fits.
The Supt. of the forkB arsi wantB prices and deliveries
on several of the two wheeled outfits for Industrial plant work.
Mow as to the business end of this proposition:
I did not deliver that memo you wrote to Thompson , because
I knew there would he a disouooion and it would resultinmy with
drawing entirely from the proposition. The reason iB this.
ahoutaith0andSroaU2inedltrishfor the* benefit of Lhs company to
turers, the Comppny ie etill burdened with the Saleo salaries.
Service etc.
.^«e a, i :& fxrsjjrsr'
ss-ss ,*! S,rSiSS'S.*S3ST.CS^!
;irt aass s;«b&n;
snowed under by more important buBinese.
2
As soon as this search-light -natter was pushed aggressive¬
ly hy rae—after I had conceived the whole thing and got your per¬
mission to push it/ Thompson sent a salesman post haste to the
Be la Val Fire Apparatus people, to try to get then interested in
it. i'o date they have put in r-o orders for attery that I am aware
of, hut in talking over the -ai.ter with hompson he has openly
stated he is opposed to giving me or anyone else the right to tne
us" of the battery 'or search light purposes. Yet with about six
months in which to make sales, I am the only one who has Phased
any searchlight outfits. Furthermore, I have authorized the -a.tery
Po to con "act with the general Electric Co. for my account, for
fifty projectors to be delivered within the year, as that ws the onjr
way I could get the G.E.Co. interested in wor-ing out a projector
for the purpose.
Pew York City has purchased from me and has installed
three complete outfits, with charging boards J^L^mn^verv
on the water towers. Expect to send me an order for ten more very
soon. Jersey City has gotten the money and is about to order one.
t'ewark will buy two. Baltimore wants several. So does Buffalo.
Young JCenlon haB jumped into the Fire Dept, end of it
with me and haB already spent considerable money in travelling
pvnenses Chief Kenlon says he has answered many letters of inquiry
wSoh ha^-e been directed to him about the light. If given a free
rein and fair chance to go ahead, X will eat the job up. But any¬
thing t' at I may do now will only spur the De a Val £e<?Vj!L~nAn
and after I have spent the time, money and effort in building up
a demand, they will step in and reap much reward.
It seems to me it is about time for the Sales Dept, to
think up some specialties themselves, or apply themselves to the
hundredPofc more different uses you and I worked out several years
ago.
This letter is in no way a criticism of Thompson. Uy policy
is to promote rather than pull down the welfare of every '
man we have. If I hand him the indefinite memo you gaveme.he will
at onoe say ha has been negotiating with the Be la Val Co. and
that will end it. You told me in the Chemical room ^at night that
as the originator of the idea, with the means and inclination to
pushittl might have it exclusively for a period of two years,
with privilege of expending if I made good. If you think it
still' , I will go ahead and push it for all I am worth. But X do
not want to undertake it aggressively and spendmoneyonitifl
must split up with other Companies who may ba attracted to it by
the headway I have made and will make.
There are SO many lines of activity on which that Company
I had rathhx own it than
concerned. That
For the sake of peace in the fatally, I suggest that you
treat this }&4f& letter .»Vmt.fivar memo
j confidential, penciling whatever memo you
deem proper <
KwSKrSSSs ar«i-s ^ *”“»•
Everything is progressing smoothly here.
n-he 1-3 battery teat is under way. Gas analysis, "hanti-
tatiive and qualitative will be made tomorrow. The members of the
Board are anxious to get away to sea and wont waste mpoh time on
fanoy frills. X picked that board in itB entirety, and had to
upset several Naval traditions to get men taken out of active
duty and ao signed to such a special test,
mhese tests on Edison cells will be followed by tests on
all other makes. Ail manufa turers have been asked to send some of
their submarine cells to the ■>Ta'ry Yard for the tests. It has
stirred them up considerably, and they don t lftke the outlook.
I really think the E-2"bu3t up"was a blessing in disguise to us.
1 called yeadowcroft up this morning to ascertain if the
■firelast nimht caught us on acid. The Supt. of the plant told 0'Ka,,an
we had 16 tins of sulphuric acid in the blaze, but keadowcroft says
that wont hurt us any.
Hot here today. Almost 70. Snow melting fast, and robins
woodpecers etc. in evidence.
The lecture before the Technology Club, in N.Y. Friday
night was a success. They kept me talking about you ^ree
hours. X had 114 lantern slides and several reels of film. when
your picture came onto the screen at the end, they all arose, out
of respectl and gave you a Boston Teoh yell you should have heard
where you are. I am to repeat the lecture in Chicago next month
for the benefit of some cruelty to animals society which the society
- - poxes sell at $500.00 each, Beats $25.00 etc, so
separate piece of paper, to be sent Thompson by
- - - — ! v/ill know h0W to proceed.
There are some early instruments in those oases that crane
back from the Paris Exposition whioh i want to Photograph.
Have I your permission to open the cases, photograph the
instruments, and return them to the cases?
Then I make a pile out of Submarine Battery I am .5°^
put up a fire-proof building somewhere on the grounds of the Lab and
install all your early models therein, as a museum. Meanwhile I
think I //ill make a trad; with a Priest to say a mass every week
so they wont get burned up.
}/y respects to Mrs. Edison.
Respectfully,
TRANSPORTATION
Starring to your letter of February 23rd, in regard to our
experience with the Edison Storage Battery. I regret the delay in
replying to your letter, hut same has been caused by the slowness in
getting reports from our various Engineers and Electricians, and by my
continued absence from the city.
I have now had full reports from all of our people in regard to the
use of the Edison Batteries, and these reports fully substantiate my own
opinion that the Edison Batteries are very much superior to any lead
batteries which we have used. We have them in service on sixteen of out
vessels, for the auxiliary wireless and lighting service, and, out of
batteries is exhausted we will replace them with Edison Batt .rie .
1Jy experience is that these batteries, while costing more in the
first place, are more economical in the long run, as they give ^tt»r
power, are taken care of with grater ease, give us mor° nours of operation,,
are less susceptible of being damaged while charging. the
charging rooms are well ventilated, and th** gas Siv°n off has be^n hardly
noticeable, the men in charge not experiencing any evil f^lts tVr.r .from.
On th“ ships, where quarters are more contracted, some gas has o en
noticed, but it is consensus of opinion among all of our Engineers tnat the
artless sus'ceptibl e 'of being damaged whil 4 charging. “^bee^hardl^ ytV
charging rooms are well ventilated, and th- gas giv°n th-Mrora.
noticeable, the men in charge not experiencing any evil f^lts tVr.r .from.
On th“ ships, where quarters are more contracted, some gas has o en
noticed, but it is consensus of opinion among all of our Engineers tnat the
__ ..j veifl n-r-p i c rmt nq rnu cYi tVicit# /rivsn o'f'f toy 3 ftfid ton ttfcX'i -.8 ,
which we formerly used, considering the difference in size of the batteries
'i’hev also do not consider that the amount of gas given off, with
ventilation provided, is enough to injure the health of anyone working arc,
After using the bal
great that we have decideu
issued our orders to that <
, v/e have, our confidence in th°m i
the only batteries to use, and h£
Y}U.
^--2 7// i
Tjh : c U/oiVK - S'
illoyctil^ IJ/ts ot //MiZ
Sal i.% TTSTVAh <r A >v : 2L
1,sS /
t+l\ r-<) L cult ' .'
■i'
li~) 73-1/ "
^73 <ft-4~l-t n
/ X (W "
7o~6 (B-6 H "
CjO A~ f "
*2. tfi// "
9-^ "
7.- 5-6 -
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY CO.
I am sending you herewith Ur. Acker's report and diagrams
of May 1st on test of heating unit for starter battery bor. As soon
as Acker gets satisfactory results, we expect to run test in the
refrigerator room of the Orange Brewery so as to get low temperature.
If you have any suggestions to make, Mr. Acker would be glad to have
them, or wouia it be convenient for you to give Acker personal
6jJf-
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
4, 1916.
AJA-21-637
Mr. Bachman:
Attached sheets show a test made APri* 17“i?7*9+h!Lm™tat
which the thermostat operated^aatisf actor ily.^lurther^ the vibration
of° a1 oar’ if r it is mounted vertically, ^/^hicke^than o^thos^jmrchased
^'»&w3^?s,/Fix^niSL.,s:asg,
ssS?-^: i— this *"•
in this test the thermostat handled only l/8 amperelEvolts.^
spiffs1.
ffs!’ ‘IrriHI sib hshtfz
» “a.»t°. si-f’jarrsa.
«nss.? fn“r-rrs*L°Lf;4«» W • ’«*• «f
nor so great accuracy.
I will send rt^^St-xStiSoS* has bTen'redliotVit^t
is mechanically very good, takes hut little r ^ &nd fllled
iniury and tests free from grounds. ™e sxeej. vuue ton lote. The
with Alundum #R' A. 305 cement, v’h£°kc1| orP0.03 ihs. However after
resistance wire is #81 advance IE ft. or O.oa^ioB ^ ^ ^
making several of the3% ^^stances i^sid build them in. It is rather fussy
he cheaper to use a split steel shape to - ig inside fill it up
.S’enflw « the latter, tra, la v.r, ™o» «-
posed to injury.
As to the here. I have g£S*JSX..i '
and, standing them inside and ^serving * resistance in the box and
S&& ?h.1:.itn^»tfrr..srt*a»a.ar. ™. 1„.«..
A B.T.U. equals 0.292 watt hours and comparing the ^esult^on
this basis, the two methods check .itho^and1^ by the electrical method.
by the electrical.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY
According to published tables of heat conductivity cotton will
conduct heat only l/2 as well as felt or inversely is twice as good an
insulator. These tests however show the cotton to be at most only 15fr
better for our purpose than the felt. There may be two reasons for that,
1st the tables probably refer to high grade materials, whereas we have
used the cheapest felt (10;/ per lb.) and cotton (6 per ib.). 2nd - A
large percentage of the heat may get out not straight through the walls,
but through what might be called leaks which are the same in either box.
Thinking along this line I had box #5 made just like #3, but with
l/2" wails. It apparently tests out to be just as good as #3, and seems
again to indicate that the heat gets out largely by leaks rather than
by straight conduction through the wals.
It would seem that a further test of the l/2" verses the 1" wall
boxes must show more difference. Possibly the fact that the paint
on the l/2" box is a glossy black whereas the other is now rather dull
and dirty may have borne effect on it. However, I do not believe a 1"
box will be enough better than the l/2". The 1/2" makes so much neater,
smaller and lighter box that it would take a big saving in watts to
justify the 1".
In these tests the covers were all screwed on and have l/8"
rubber gaskets. Also all the holes for wires and thermometers were
packed with cotton waste. So while the test results seem to point
to leaks it is difficult to see where they are.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Comparative 'feet of Two 4 Cell Boxee .
* x 6-7/16" x 104"
' x 8-7/16" X 12!"
ineide ) 1" wall with
outeide) oow hair felt.
Radiating eurfaot 6.28 sq.ft.
#1 Metal & Metal eoldered at top
#2 Maple frame 1” x 1" at top.
four oane of hot water were enoloeed in eaoh and allowed
to oool.
#1 _ _ #1
Time Lhs. Water °£ lbs .Water
8:45 A.M. 12-11/16 163.5 12-10/16
6:00 P.M. " 99. "
Temp. Drop " _ 64.5 . 11
B.T.U. loes
817
79 5
B.T.U. / Hr.
88.4
86.0
V/atts Average
25.8
25.1
Average differenoe above room temp. 54°^
54°f
Watts at 40 °P
would be 19.1
18.6
Watte per eq.
ft. at 40 °P 3.04
2.96
163-5
IOO.5
Comparative Teet of Two 6 Cell Boxes.
Eaoh 20-7/8" x 6-7/16" x 104" ine ide ) 1" wall
22-7/8" x 8-7/16" 12#" outeide)
Radiating Surface 8..16 eq. feet.
#3 Cow Hair Pelt & metal to metal eoldered,
#4 Cotton Batting & maple frame at top.
oool.
Time
11:50 A.M.
6:00 P.M.
Temp. Dr op
B.T.U. ioee
B.T.U./Hr.
• of hot water v
> enoloeed in eaoh and allowed to
°P
166.6
111.4
lbs. Water °F
19.25 157.1
« 115.0
52.1
10 30
167.5
Watte Average 49
Average differenoe above room temp. 65 J?
Watte at 40°^ would be 30
Watts per eq. ft. at 40°F 3.68
1000
162
¥
5.56
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Comparative Test of Three 6 Cell Boxsb.
#4 Cotton hatting and. maple frame at top.
A resistance coil was put in eaoh box and connected in
eeriea.
Each 20-7/8" x 6-7/16" x 104-" inside ) 1" wall
#3 & #4, 22-7/8" x 8-7/16" x 12f" outeide )
#5 21-7/8" x 7-7/16" x ll|" outeide - l/2" wall.
#3 & it 5 Cow Hair felt and metal & metal soldered.
Watts at 40 of above room (average)
Watts per sq.ft, at 40°F
NO. 18282
/
May 12th, 1916.
Ur. Edison!
I quote as follows from a letter received from Ur.
Maurice E. Fox, dated April 24th, in reference to the business
of Edison Accumulators, Limited, London:
"The affairs of Edison Accumulators, Ltd., have
followed their normal course since my last writing.
(Jan. 16th, 1916) Between that date and the present,
the following sales have been made:
22 industrial trucks
2 Half-ton chesses
2 One-ton ohasBes
3 Thirty-cwt chesses
23 Two-ton "
2 Three-ton "
5 Four-ton "
3 Five-ton "
X
.’.toy lfcth. ,1916.
Mr . Mudd :
Mr. 3remmer of your department is supposed to send
over evory day the report of orders received, orders shipped
and cells assembled, The report I refer to is the one on a
little slip of papor, which has been Eent to mo regularly for
the last two years.
Ur. .Edison is very insistent on having these reports
evory day, and if they fall bohind he does not like it, and is
beginning to ask who is responsible for the delay. So far I
have managed to stave off trouble, but it is bound to come some
day if we do not get the reports regularly every day. Then he
will ask the name of the man who is responsible for the delay,
us ho did recently in a somewhat similar case down in the ihono
graph iiorkB . Heedless to say, some discipline was administered
X am writing this note to you so that wo racy not have
any similar trouble in this case.
H. MEaDOV.CEOFT .
In ansv/er to your request for price and printed mat¬
ter relative to electrolytic cells, as advertised in Metallurgical
and Chemical Engineering magazine for May 1, would say we immediate-
ly wrote the Electro Chemical Company, of Dayton, Ohio, and they
answered under date of IJay 15, which letter we enclo se herewith.
As you will note, they referred us to the Warner Chemical
Company, of Hew York City, with whom we communicated at once. We
enclose this letter also, together with circular mentioned therein.
In connection with the price, you will note that same is
given approximately in pencil on letter from Warner Chemical Company.
We tried to get them to specify some definite figure, but Mr. 'Earner
says it depends entirely upon the number of cells purchased and the
particular layout designed. If I remember rightly, it was this con¬
cern who gave us a quotation on an electrolytic cell during the
past winter.
I expect to be in Hew York tomorrow and will take the
matter up further with them on the basis of converting chloride
of potash made from feldspar into caustic potash, in quantities
sufficient to supply us with electrolyte.
Yours very truly
EDISOH CHEMICAL -WORKS
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
W fcltrtva (flljemtral Glompattg
MANUFACTURERS OF
Electrolytic Cells
DAYTON, OHIO
Mty 13, 1916.
Hdison Chemical Works ,
Silver Lake, IT. J.
Gentlemen
insworing Mr. liillor ’e letter of
j,!ay 10th, regarding electrolytic cells, our
cells tire for the production of Sodium Hypo¬
chlorite only. If* you are interested in any¬
thing of this sort, v.o will he very glad to quote .
prices, etc., upon receipt of further details.
We believe,, however, what you need
is e diaphragm cell, such as are made to produce
chlorine*gss and caustic soda. Our colls will
not serve the purpoeo of manufacturing caustic
potash, unloss'there was quito a change in tho
construction.
V To suggest that you write the
Warner Chemical Co., 52 Vanderbilt Ave., How
York City, who manufacture diaphragm colls, and
they can perhaps supply your wants.
/e stated above, if you desire
cells-for producing Sodium Kypochlorito, wo
can undoubtedly meet your requirements, and
would bo gli d to hear from you further.
SSH/H
yours very truly,
rixfjpgpyno cHstiic.o. c oir ihy
Resident
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
FHYf-Cli
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(j(~ ( ] - 4" ohumO- 'U hMCUoT>u
rmU.4 «*, . ^-7/' /
^ tUlA n ' ^
C-A/j^Lc^ c C4^r% -$3i*fc~
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tj nyj ‘it f ~ 4% 0 o/Ytf* <* f«-*l~'
unload Y^00 ! r 0-S7 3
( WESTERN UNION
ANGLO -AMERICAN lUS DIRECT ONITE1
CABIwEGIAM
lTES
Received at 16 BROAD STREET, NEW YORK
N BR 457 RH 20593
LONDON 34
CfcT ZYMOTIC FOR MR EDISON NEWYORK.
REQUEST YOU NOT MAKE ANY ARRANGEMENT FOR MANUFACTURING ENGLAND tEFOBE I
SEE FOB YOUR OWN INTEREST STOP APPLYING FOR PASSPORT AND WILL CABLE
••hem Sailing* ‘.'i!'.' . u i
MONNOT.
Ilh th
V'V/J^ -r^vvv
'ry ?
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Ctrmty }a^L faafmU i fe OMjjfrmli eruA \iniUauj tW<*
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August 16, 1916.
V,J. A
LJ ’ 1 \ , ...
^UlvA,'C^ Y ^
u’uU^-' I 0v
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gr7
(3..VU. ‘2f-|«-c/u-
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seals*
Dear Mr. Edison:
Thera has been much talk over hire recently among
hankers and others about ESTABLISHED IEDDSTRIALS. The times,
money conditions, and tamper of the Investing public seem
‘ ‘ t for floatations of thiB class of enterprise on a large /
UVcCtXc C W<9-«a f 0 ^ ^
It has occurred to me, - Why not divoroe the storage
batteries from Edison, Ino. and commission me to negotiate a
deal to put one over that is really worth while. If the subject
Is fit to talk about advise me and I will run over to see you.
Even if the suggestion Is valueless end there is "nothing doing"
I would be glad to hear from you. Have you anything now coming
out soon that needs a helper about my size?
With kindest personal regards, I a
Very truly yours L \
tnA
EBSsMSS
c. W. McMORRAjST
Thomas A. Edison, t ^
Oranee,]*.^. ,
({Lo-C^'l
^UG.^.4/1.,
e Xs. Office
Fow in the halls of the U'.S.Offi
buildings in Washington, E.C. , there seems to be a mile about
floor and two and from the Senate office building and the C
bulind these, as per cut, could he used a hundred o£ of than,
HAD AK EDISON STORAGE BATTERY, which would do away with
noxse which would shut off the hind shown in the cuts. I t*
would he a fine entertainment to have these -SB^HOBl^.with
; face batteries, and submit this suC(jestion to you,
the profits, or amnount of sales
You remember I had the honor of standing with you, on tne Court Of
Pleanty , at the Expo sit ion, San Francisco .when 25000 were waiving
yo ,and we had a little chat.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
THE WORLD: WEDNESDAY, AUGT.TST 23, . 1016.
I skate-mobile tandem sWHITE SLAVE, ILL, GROSS FIRE LAXITY
SKIDS ON BROADWAY] pg g|}p JURY CHARGED TO I fl"
i TO INDICT QUICKLYi IN 01 A1”'
David Parish, Alias Siberia, Wi*
ness in Another Case, 'r'
to Tombs on Girl’'
of Rare Br
£/„ .
. I/y, /,».■. . .■;*/# Zf //«.»*
^LmTCL "2duwru.
• $u/*)/f' • 7i7.j />y7/r &7/J0S* :>//<>'/ s/ys- - Tts//// ?//.
"‘•-“■■viz:::™
’. ■' /V-
J M/AMP 14th September ,/^6.
.S’. II’.
N Accumulators Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
FOB Edison Laboratory,
)BILE LIGHTING ORANGE, N .J .
startinc & Ignition Dear Mr. Edison,
uchtinc I returned safely after a slow trip on the
"New Amsterdam" , and since my return I have been busy
ain light, nc with ,^^8 that have been left for my attention.
I am returning today to Hutchison one of the
ess telegraphy COPies of the letter agreement modifying our original
.. contract signed and sealed at our last Board. Meeting,
.R,HE vessels, etc. • and j m the other copy , which I will return
, - by next mailin case this first letter is lost, as it
,om plete possibly may be.
rac vt HICLLs i thank you for your kindness during my short
,ure Cars stay in Orange, and I can assure you that the results
I expect to obtain will be entirely satisfactory to you.
ercialVans ,jhe £njv trouble now is that the battery works have not
vet delivered a number of orders placed some time ago,
1U8ES and we are getting short of cells to fill our orders.
I am sorry to say that I have not yet been able
vay Cars to obtain a solution regarding the shipment of industrial
diamonds that you require, and it is very difficult to
motives change anything in the rules laid down. It appears that
a large number of industrial diamonds have gone from the
=HES United States to Germany, and the special committee
appointed on this matter works very slowly. I will advise
Mr. Enery by cable as soon as I have a final answer, but
it may not oe favourable.
With best regards
Yours sincerely,
30pean Office a^nd Branch Factor
tesham, Condon. N. England.
General. Offices and Salesroom, 703 East 13™ Street
Branch Salesroom, 1150 Broadway \ j
Office ol the Factor* 710 East 14th Street <0 /> V „ \ . .
sept. ^ > /
^Ed'ipon Storage Battery Co.. x\ . if
West Orange, If. J.
1 4‘~ - . . ~ w// xy^>/.
GjmtXerrien : - ^
^ While the writer was visiting your plant last s^jj-in^ V
Vf .y /
with the Harvard engineering Society, he had the pleasure o# say y y ^ v
ing your "tube seaming" machines which make the tubes for yoi^r yA. ^ \,
storage battery. So that you will understand just what
we enclose a clipping from one of these tubes. ^
We are very much interested in securing a similarity ^ >
machine, but to be used for an entirely different purpose tha^^yA
own. We would wont the machine for making pencil tips, (the qj&llty .
ferrules which go on the end of a pencil to hold the rubber^. /
what conditibns you will give us the drawings i
inform us where it could be built.
( One )
October 9, 1916.
/
Mr. Edison:
I am in receipt of a cablegram from Mr. Monnot
dated London, asytasmiHxxifci October 7th, as follows:
"Cable received. Have consulted my patent attorneys, who
state positively you can send batteries formed without
injuring patent situation on account our having worked
process continuously before war. Forming here would entail
further delay and as delivery is vital please send battery
formed. Had recently two more interviews with clients
and have arranged for other orders provided first order
is delivered promptly as delay is cause of whole trouble.
If drain tubes causing delay omit same and cable at once
earliest delivery. Also if you still need Fox le can sail
next Saturday if necessary.
Monnot."
m. h. HUicfej/soi;
Copies to Messrs. Bachman and Thompson
Oct. 20, 1916.
.ir. Edison:
In reply to this letter, I sent the following
ijahlegrain, deferred rate, to Monnot:
EDIBAE2EH LOUDON -
LE^TEH RECEIVED. BOSS DECIDED 'fivEE NO
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Cl)PY
EDI SOU ACCULIULA203S ESI).
2 and 3 Puke Ct. ,
.London, S. \7. , 27th September, 1916.
Dr. Li. Hutchison,
Chief Engineer,
Edison laboratory.
Orange , II . J .
Uy dear Hutchison:
I received your letter of the seventh
instant enclosing copies of letters you have addressed to
Sir Trevor Dawson and to the Xiavul Attache in Hew York. 1
do not suppose it is any use for me to make any comments,
as what you have found out is exactly what I told you and
Ur. Edison I expected would happen. But I did nibt think it
had already gone so far. I am having an appointment with the
Admiralty to clear up this matter, but the worst is that I
have learnt this morning from a reliable source thtt dickers
are going on making preparations for manufacturing and have
made a thorough investigation into the patent situation here.
They have stated that one patent was expiring soon and that
they were- going to apply for the right to use the existing
patent on the ground that we do not manufacture in this
country. You will remember that they have already stated
that to you through their representative. I was also told
that they knew a great deal wore than I did suspect, and
that they had been watching me for over twelve months. They
must have spies everywhere. The worst of it is that you made
such case of Saville. You will remember also that I told you
that I would not have anything to do with Vickers or their
people and this makes my conviction still stronger, and I
suppose that all their staff has been trained to their way
of doing business. I could say much more on this subject,
but it would be of no use at the present time, but I wish
you would impress on Ur. Edison the absolute necessity under
the present circumstances of arranging promptly to give me
or Edison Sd-ioea Accumulators ltd. the exclusive license to
manufacture cells under his different patents in this country.
From your cablegram 1 know that you are now convinced of this
and as Vickers may make an application at any time to the
Commissioner of Patents for the use of the British battery
patents I ought to have this contract farxkxx from Hr. Edison
so that we can defend the case. At the same time I think it
would be well for Ur. Edison to give me power of attorney in
this matter, if he has no legal representative here, to take
up the matter with the Commissioner when called upon, as if
there is no defense Vickers application may be granted with-
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
rm+ n hearing If ha has a legal representative here pie as e
as we have been doing the work, incorporating it in the cells
and forming the batteries.
I would suggest that you take up this matter with Mr.
agrees ’T? ££ “tS'S^tS “^nse right
away the papers should be drawn up immediately and signed
"by him, and sent to me for signature.
I am sending you this letter through my brother in
Paris, so that he~may read it before it is postet .
With regards to all.
Yours sincerely,
(signed) J. F. IiOHUOT.
Cc*. Oc.U'Al
ADIS Oil Sl’OBAGE BAggERY.
ihe electric buttary ia a device by which potential energy is made avail- '
able in the form of olootricity by .means of chemical re-aotione.
Batteries aro of two general cla3aos, - primary and secondary. She latter
aro usually lenovm as storage batteries in this country, aivl as accumulators abroad.
Primary batteries consume their elements in the production of oloctrioity,
or, to be more accurate, change their chemical condition in such manner a3 not to be
readily restored to an active state - the action i3 irreversible.
Storage batteries change their chemical form in such manner as to be read¬
ily restored to active condition by the passage of an electric current through them
in the reverse direction - the action i3 said to be reversible.
Storage batteries in turn are subdivided into tvo general, classes. gho
older of these is known as the lead-aoid type. It is represented by the products of
praotioally all the competitors of the Edison Storage Battery Company. 2ho Edison
battery i3 the sole representative, with one or two minor exceptions, of the alkaline
type of storage battery. . • .
In basic principle the two types aro the same, but materially they are en¬
tirely different.
Electrolyte Solution -
Positive .Active Hate rial - - - - -
negative " " - > - -
Supporting material of the Plates
Cell Container of Jar - - - - -
Plate Separators ---------
Lead-Aold- Alkaline
Caustic PotasJj or
- - Sulphur io Acid Caustic Sola.
- -Peroxide, of Lead liiokel Hydrate
- -Sponge lead Iron Oxido
- Lead Hiokel-plated Steel
-Glass or Hard Rubber " " "
- Thin woodensheet3. Hard rubber BtripB.
power.
/■.'> - • EheVfioienoy of the Bdiaon, over an oxtondod jfiriod, la ogye.1 to that of
tj^iend .'-V «» ****** it la.lcarer. tut its efficiency ia retained v/hile
tLjt'Yf the lead littery gradually falls off. But acids from this, the difference
in '^ff&iehQ^ia^ot important. Of the entire ooat of operating a truofc (including
depreciation, interest, eto.), the cost of current doeo not exceed 10 percent.
Therefore a difference of even 20 peroent in efficiency would mate a difference
of only 2 percent in the operation of the vehicle, which is insignificant be¬
cause it is many tines offset hy savings in other respoots.
4. Kffoot of oold.
Ihe effect of oold lias been, ontirely nullified hy suitable battery com¬
partment design. To substantiate this, it is only necessary to mention the fact
that completely satisfactory service has boon rendered throughout winter seasons
in such localities as Winnipeg, Canada, mere temperatures as low as 50 and 40 ds-
gress below zero persist for weelcs at a time.
There are various typos of MdisoR batteries, designated by letters and
numerals, as A-4,A-8,B-G,J-9,G-7, etc. The letter indicates the hind of plate in
the cell and the numeral indicates tha number of positive plates, tho number of nega¬
tives being always ono more.
fA“ and "B" plates are thicker than "G" and "J" platoa, but otherwise
all are alike in construction. "B" and "J" plates are half the size of .a. and
"0" plate3 respectively, that is, "B" and "J" typs oells are approximately liali tnc
height of "A” and "0“ typa cells.
There are also "If1 type oells for minors' leaps and Motorcycle Lighting
and "3" type oells for oubmariues.
"A" and "0" ty’O oells are usod for vohiolos and for other heavy ser¬
vices, the »(J» type being offered in speoisl caeos v&ero high dieohargo rates are
required.
ngn and >'J" typo cells are usod for lighter sorvioos.
' She principal uses of the Bdioon battery are as follows j-
nn-nv.uc.TAT. TUUClGa . This tern includao all street vehiolos designed to
oarry merchandise. In this field the saloon Battery holds from 35^ to 40^ of ell
the fcuoinoso'-in tho United States*
4 ’
tioa. About thirty (0) roads, (among -them such important linos as the J?onnsylvaaia
H.H., Central H.IU of new Jersoy, Baltimore & Ohio, and Illinois Central), have
signed agreements for the exclusive use of Edison Batteries in one or more of tho
atove sorvioes. In the ordinary 031 lament of a day coach an Edison Battery saves
one ton in weight - 860 Its. against 2880 Its. and each tray ia of such weight as
to to readily handlod ty one man. In signs lids andswitch service a great saving in
tovrar opnetruotion onpenso is effected ty the «30 of Edison Battorios tecau3e of the
absence of fumes injurious to surrounding apparatus. With the lead battery a sep¬
arate battery house or room is usually built.
December 4, 191G.
Ur. It. A. Bachman;
Herewith I hand you a letter
from Mitsui & Co., ltd., in regard to the sample
board, which 1ST. Edison is presenting to the Kyoto
Imporial Univeroity.
you will note that when the sample board
is ready it is to be forwarded to Mitsui & Co.,-.vtd.
Engineering Department. 26 U&dison Are., Sm lork
City, H.Y.
Will you. pleas o rive instructions to have
transportation charges prepaid .
YMI.IHfciDOY.CROi’E.
A/1449.
\
^ ter a-.
/ ,-t ot "feH- ,/■{ . 4/\ V •' ,
44 4 a'u4> /-4 r//-
4/0^ , wwk & trw*i^ surfpt't'oZ^
y(/Li>,\\ . ,1 t '
'^nrtc^mi 4 •-44c. ^ rn w
^ I' l/^ " <P«^, H -t
" 4/11 0^
U/M/l' WoLlM&'A • ^,/UI W*| ffi- ; /
/Jto/ Cn//^ How- &** ■
Dec. 18, 1916.
Mr. Edison:
I received the following cablegram, dated
yesterday, from Monnot:
gable name ahalihe die depesred to by MR. edisoh
DURING conversation. urgent.
MONNOT.
He evidently refers to a conversation he had
with you when he was in Orange. If yoa can remember it,
and will advise me, I will communicate with Monnot.
HUTCH.
December 23, 1‘J16.
Hr. Edison:
About eight months ago, v;e sent over to
ihe Davy Yard, Brooklyn, a few of the Type M-8, minim
lamp cells , to enable the Uavy Department to determine
just how long a lamp, depending upon the Edison Stora? e
Batteries, could be loft standing nnd still get enough
light out of the lantern to be of practical utility
in time of emergency.
The cells we sent over were made up from
the tubes taken from the cells we made m for Ford, and
as you know we have had trouble with tubes made up from
these Ford cells which were left standing in a dry, unformed
condition for quite a long time.
In the tests that were made on those cel Is
we sent the Havy Yard, the cells were first overcharred
three or four times to be sure that they were fully
charged. They were of course discharged after each charge.
On the last overcharge, they were put on the shelf, and
at the end of one month one pair of cells was taken down
and -put into the mining lamp case, the time it would
bum the lamp a certain minimum candlenower noted. At
the end of two months from date of charge, a second pi ir
of cells was token down and so on every month.
The results of thetest were very disappoint¬
ing. From previous experience with Edison Cells, the
personnel of the Uavy Yard expected ' o be through with the
test and to 0. K. Edison Batteries for use in lanterns of
this type. But the result of the testabove referred to
rendered this impossible.
Saptain Burd says he would like to carry on
another set of tests, and for that purpose would like to
have two docen cells, or twelve pairs of cells for mining
lamp. He wants to be sure that the cells are of the te st
possible construction, so that they will show up well on
the test.
I therefore suggest that you 0. K. this
memorandum and I will pass it along to the Storage Bat tery
Company. I feel sure that they will take extra precautions
to have the batteries in first class condition before
sending them.
The shipmnnt is to be made on consignment to
-2-
Maohinery Division,
Hew York Kuvy Ya rd
Brooklyn, Hew iork.
M. H, HU2CHIS0H.
V
7th f/wn
% O'/i)
0 hn i yifitnj Uftfn f'j
071 £ 01 fiM/O 7)o. 2. <s3" 6t <, j / ~
<$/ 1 f" /w /v i4o / v ^ i <■' 7;
feW 6
i
2jn\ Mill.. OK .(ten
3 (aj/K (J-ftiYimA ^r-
<:L At . 5>/ J> />W <yf~fWH
Shljj/iAUj '
c£Zc ~$/)}k
Edison General File Series
1916. Battery, Storage - Edison Storage Battery Company (E-16-09)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the
business of the Edison Storage Battery Co. Among the documents for 1 91 6 are
items concerning investor relations, product guarantees, and royalties
accounting. The correspondents include stockholder Arthur I. Clymer and
Stephen B., Mambert, vice president and financial executive of Thomas A.
Edison, Inc.
Less than 1 0 percent of the documents have been selected . The material
not selected consists primarily of routine interoffice communications and other
items pertaining to sales and marketing.
Edison storage battery comp;
Mr. Edison and file:- Q^3''
v'oich Mr. Hutchison
copies of for his us
batteries.
In the first
that these guarant.
and in the second place!
is too broad to put out
Hutchison's evident int|
the ignition and light!
guarantee and I do not i
guarantees in this manner.
/2ti tT£ £y, s-r**#
$ hercrto copy of blanket guarantee
3 ask era that we print two hundred
1 sailing wireless or gun firing
e it has always been my understanding
only issued over your signature
think that the entire auarantco
i wholesale lots as it is Mr.
don to do. Practically all of
sets which we sell are sold without
why it is necessary to issue these
Until I receive instructions
from you to put this form of guarantee out or to issue, for
that matter, any form of guarantee for Ur. Hutchison, [ do
not feel that I have any authority whatever in the premises.
! how ycu wish me to handle
Enclosure -1
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Edison Storage Battery Co.
O range ,N.J.,U. S. A.
THE EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY hereby guarantees as
follows all Army and Navy Special Edison Storage Cells,
indicated by the letters "ANS" stamped on the filler cap
of each, and purchased during the year 1915.
If, at any time within a period of five years from date
of shipment by us, irrespective of the number of cycles
of charge and discharge they will have had, any of said
cells are found to be incapable of developing rated cap¬
acity after a charge of twelve hours at normal rate, we
will, at our discretion, either repair said cells to
restore rated capacity, or replace with other cells of
proper capacity, free of charge, f. o. b. our Works,
Orange, New Jersey.
At any time during or at the end of the sixth year, we
will renew all positive plates to restore the cells to
full rated capacity, for one-half the orignal price of
said cells:
PROVIDED, however:
J}/}
(a) That all said cells have been purchased by the m
government directly from our Main Office, Orange, New
Jersey, and not through any dealer. ' '
(b) That all cello are installed in a manner approved
by us.
cdhii
(c) That all said cells are cared for and operated in . /
accordance with our standard printed .instructions.^
A.9 -VH*7 ft 'Jlvtfsu.ovl -K4U .
(d ) That the Commissioned Officer directly in charge will
give his persot.al attention to the mixing of the dry chemicals
and distilled water when necessary to renew the solution
in any of said cells, and as to keeping the cells dry and
clean externally.
EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY.
^'1§S=
STATISTICAL LIBRARY
* 1^ ‘j^rfmnry ?.7th, 1916.
^ is^c
deceased
:
— — , value of the
would accordingly request that you inform
0“
1915.
. is necessary that I ascertain the
surity as of the dnte of death, and
a any
sales or quotations of the above seourity that may have
occurred at any time near the date of death. The above
corporation, we know, is a rather close corporation, and
in order to arrive at a fair appraisal of tho seourity held
by this Estate it will bo neoessary for you to furnish us
with n statement of assets and liabilities and inoome aocount
for the years of 1913, 1914 and 1915.
I trust thnt you will see your way
clear to submit this • inf ormation as soon as possible and
remain, ^ \
Very truly yours,
FIlTf-HCIAL EXECUTIVE.
‘J ^ ^ '
0*t4< Hvitfe )'(*&
£<J5U~ W 1 -S7.J *-»«■«„
'Wj.'fc.iW
w*.t{ tflLv*«&*-v\fA*> W^K d ^ ''
IVert, Ghi^,* February 21,/;
me a hundred st
you asked bei^j
in the manufactlu
u'l^O) fjJ
\ Viu Wert, Glue,* February 21/19162- ,
Iva. <_v vvttj /C« ^a ct-*.| <" f ^ -i5 <r>rf
KVv
‘^ago, you very
jlrv cw-wt Lv-fa ou.*««Aj jf^f • p
My dear ^ J U>U K^Uvva ot^*-
nanufacttae of the ILdiscn battufwthat I went, to an.extreme
oWI^*v^^,^Sil|®ae^^insf} Inti y
and hopefully from one year to another, in tjje-pxpectation of divi¬
dends, and the investment, figured at six percent, now stands me
over *13,000. The fact that there are nO(&fc»l».wids near in sight,
need not cost you a moment’s anxiety or unrest; for you, as you so
richly deserve in view of the priceless benefits you have conferred
upon the world, are a rich man in point of health, happiness and
material reward. (Although, I am well aware that you have not
received one ten-thousandth part of what you have been entitled to
for your inventions in' universal use. )
My own financial situation, 1 regret- to confess,
in not comforting or reassuring, and I beg you not to think me
presumptive in making a second request: it is a favor which you are
in position to grant me if your kindly spirit move you to do so.
In view of the price I paid you per share (*100) for the battery
stock and the five years’ use of the fund, will you be good enough
to give me a hundred shares of Thomas A. itoison, Inc., in exchange
for the hundred shares of battery stock ? The many friendly letters
which I have received from you, Mr. kdison, have made me feel that
you take an interest in me and 1 shall feel grateful to you beyond
expression. Anxiously awaiting your reply, I am
^ jfojMvrs u«^
your favor of 24th alt. was duly rece
. M?ii. Jhvs
wherein you stated that you could not very well make the exchange
I suggested. 1 gave yon the situation with reference to my
financial condition and will ask you if you will not kindly receive
back the 100 Edison storage battery shares which you let rae have.
Taking them at par, — the price I paid you for them, — you will
have hod the advantage of five years and four months’ use of the money
or the equivalent of a 6? annual dividend for that length of time.
your reason for having preferred not to make the
exchange of battery shares for fbos. A. Edison Inc. most have been
that the latter has a larger surplus — I do not kon whether the
latter company is paying dividends. I cannot blame you for
nob wishing Vo make this exchange of shares if it would be
to your disadvantage. But I do most earnestly beg that you will
not refuse my present request, in view of the fact that you have
already owned these shares and they undoubtedly are worth more non
than they were when you sold them to me.
Anxiously awaiting your reply, I am
Box 351
yi yours very truly,
X
*■
* Jr S V
tIhe INVESTORS' AGENCY. II
°\V
1 y- ft*
fc^St X Ivcwt luwe*
V P Maroh 4th, 1916.
RE EDISON STORAGE BATTERY COMPANY. STOCK
^.lAk &<•«,*«. Jr usk*-*
-p) (M,a
^ y*. A n^ f— 4C "
I have Been appointed by tHe Comptroller
B expert appraise r^rfVunJi n t ejl’ p e o _ t t ,.v,
urities for the Transfer Tax^Apprafe|£s Yor^S^at^, . -
Dpon the request of the appraisers, X
have to report upon the value of the above security which is
of the State of Hew York a
WALTER JANVIER
SIROLIN CO.
NEW YORK
PEARS' SOAP-.\,.
pv\'
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7*sL ^777^^77 v 7'‘"^'"''? " "
3£l uric, C ^1
WALTER JANVIER
PEARS' SOAP
SIROLIN CO.
36S & 367 CANAL STREET
NEW YORK
^ o'-
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7%, A </r ,
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3* u*.7Z*. *- „
/( vJ^-r ■"-■ yj" '
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7
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A' ' • * ■
t/
^[/' ffi- V*-* ■^rv/‘'W' ^ C ^
My dear Mr. Edison :
hted'to read, in your latest!
/.
x OIU delight^fto read, in your latestj kind letter, %
that the Edison storage battery business is doing splendidly, and am
not at all surprised, as I have had the very highest expectations for
its ultimate success, ever since the day I read the f j.rstj3xtendea
anj all-absorbing description of it. ^ { \ «**} L* *-r O.L**-1*
I \ i have just read, in a city paper, the following ^
f-. v# ; on some Prussian state railway lines, storage battery’1
[/ / cars are being operated at less expense than either \
steam or gasoline-electric cars. /
— It 'occurred to me that you might care to obtain definite informaticfr
as to the characteristics of these cars, either through correspondence
with some scientific or railroad friend in Prussia, or through some
railroading friend here who can obtain the information through a
qualified Prussian correspondent. I have thought that they may be
using some advanced type of gearing or other mechanism, which, plus the
Edison battery, would enable you to put out an equally desirable
storage battery car at home.
lours
October 50,1916.
I2r. A. I. Clymer, ‘
Van Y.oxt, Ohio.
Dear Ur. Clymer: _
let me say in reply to, your, favor of tho
26th Instant that i 3mon all about tho Prussian railroad
esporiraont and have all tho data relating thoroto. I
hop o to do something -on this line-in this country, but it
is hard to get the plan started. —
Yours very truly.
. 3SQ C
O.TE . 11-18-1C .
effective Continuously
'joci'Q tail al Curvice Dept., Ar Chur Maid, Seo'y
3. B. ilambert, Vice ‘-resident L financial Executive
Division in
Quostion: Export Division, T.A.E.lnc. and Sales Division
£. 3* B. Co. proper.
Mr. Kellow and the writer had a short talk this P. id.
regarding the subject of henuling- tho accounting in connection with
royalty on the books of fhomua . A. Edison, Personal end E. 0. h. Co.
fue Edi son Ecorago battery Co. has maintained on itB
boots an account called "iloyalties” separate ana distinct from the
"Laboratory" account and have credited to said Hoyal ty account all
cnarges to cus toners for royalties. Up until recontly, the f . A. E.
Personal carried no account on their books against the Storage battery
Company, for these royalties, but recently we neve gotten In agree¬
ment on this matter.
Y/e propose that both the Pprcom l and the storage
battery Company will continue to c arry a..' qeparn to account for royal¬
ties on our respective books and not confuse them with the other
charges to and from Hiomns A. Edison, Personal.
“Dis Storage Battery Co. will at the end of each month
render to ffiiomas A. Edison Personal "Hoyal ty Account" n credit memo
covering tho amount of royalties charged customers during said month,
with the exception that royalties in connection with sules to Lonnot
will be handled on the following basis:
fhore is a special agreement whereby ilonnot has made
a deposit to Hr. Edison of ..Lb.OOb.OO agsinst which deposit' one-half
of the royalties on all ooIIb shipped to him is to be charged.
Our former procedure in this matter (when ws were
handling it through the Export Division) was to bill “Ii_
sion will! the full amount of tho royalty and credit Royalty ^ount
on our general ledger. Bhen Hr. ilonnot paid his account to ^e Export
Division he mode a deduction for one-half the amount of the royalty,
which was billed back to us by the Export Division; jiredl ted J
and charged to Hoyal ty Account by E.
handle tho tlonno t royalties i“
(b) On our invoice to Konnot for cells we will charge
the full amount of the royalty.
w propose to
(b) Bonder a credit memo applying againBt the
charge for royalty for one-half the amount of the royalty "on
of deposit".
said
account
Soci't
cti.ry, Edison Storage Batteiy Co.
FINANCIAL MF.MOHANOUM Nil JifcOB
°AT6 . ii-ee-16 .
Viet' 'res' l. i. Ainanoi cl Executive
Division in
Question: Export Division, E.A.E.Inc. end Solos Div.
E.S.B.Co. proper.
(o) Bender e credit memo to 'f. A. E. Persond for
tlio mil amount of the royalty.
(d) Render a charge to .l1. A. 1C. Personal for one-half
of the royalty, deducted "on account of deposit".
(e) Wo rocommona that tho total amount standing to
tlie credit of Royalty Account on K* S. B. Co's hooks be paid in cash
with tho exception of an arbitrary figure, may .j 300. 00, to cover
royalty not yet collected;
(f) On the first of each month, thereafter to pay to
B. A. Edison such royalties as we have collected in the previous
month as determined by the cash book, leaving any balance open on
Royal ty Account .
Ur. Kellow will handle tne eituation on the
i'. A. Edison Personal books along the following lines:
(a) Credit Lounot "Royalty iepositf account with the
523,000.00 deposit.
(b) Credit account Royalties Earned with all royal-
tieu, per credit memos of the Storage battery Company.
(c) Open a oopurate account with Edison Storage
buttery Co. called "Edison Storage Battery Company Royal ty Account"
ana charge to this account tho amount of all credit memos rendered
by E. 3. b. Co.
(d) Credit E. 3. B. Co. with amount of one-half
of royalties billed db shown by their debit memorandums.
(e) Charge Eonnot Royalty Deposit account with one-
half of royalties os shown by E. 3. B. Co. bills.
ARfflUR ilUDD, Secretary
Edison Storage Battery Co.
_ Ueasrs. Chas.Edl son-II.f .Uillor-R. W.Kellow-G. I.Owen-
1 H.Uuek-H.ti. Bene tend, P’lynn- Coggins- Bremer-
^ December 11, 1916-
5 ^.^ax^i.-a.-j BrtM InrO-asfai#
-Edison Storage Battery Co-, ctM>M ' ' / . - /£>-<*)
°range’ 8‘ °* **, -r~ ' J. f^^t*** KS
My dear Mr. Edison : 1 j
I was much gratified 4^-^ aUlggr^ rom ^ ..*,*
you a few weeks ago, that the batt^y ^ny ^Join|^finely^and ^
am not surprised- to learn that it irparti^pa^ng ij^the
industrial prosperity of the ^
me that, the company was then earning enough to^justify^i^^f
« no. «» «. *«=« t...
m B“a' “*"ina *° **» “£^T,JElpc ^Sw- ’isitT 43®P ,
oo.M ««»°« a°»“ «-
this, after having waited patently and Jopef^ for
« c“»
* “«“3
I have feltTveJ confidence^ commas, w,,f
* *■ -
»ve been encouraged ^9 belxevUba^ g^nitial o.ife
. _ ... J£*r ft? nrovimn. -Tt. ^ildUJ^JT
rexerreu w, * — . ^ ^ Vl4i> **
dend may probably be expected Jap^t ^roxirno^^ *CS> ^
Of course Ish^
with what particulars your time, wallow, «^e *»!* '%"£&&*
company has been getting in the past u.®0 $+2"££~~~r.o
hopeful of our getting a large^r^ofjhe^ub^nine battery business,
from this and foreign countries, in view of the extroardir^ry plans
and immediate demands for sut-sea vessels.
May I ask along what lines our increase
in orders is materializing ? Also, what is our present capacity
and the number of cells at present manufactured per day, and the amount
December 13,1910.
Ur. A. X. Clyraer,
Van Viert, Ohio.
Dear Ur. Clymor:
• ' replying to your ;favor of the
11th instant, lot mo say that no have scarcely
any War businosB with tho Storage 3attory. Our
troublo Is to compete Kith the lead battery.
V.o propose putting in a’’ plant to roll
our own stool doKn from thin bond- else to tho
very thin size to use. V.’o also contemplate a
plant to make our own hard rubber. These Kill
require a good part of our profltB for nest year,
but Ke will then be in a position to give Doalors
a greater discount. They Kill not handle^ tho
Battery at present unless no do so' and no have
always been compelled to coll direct.
We have sold only threo submarine
batteries. Ke have to fight a hard combination
which doos things ko cannot do. n
lours vory truly.
Edison General File Series
1916. Birthday Greetings (E-16-10)
This folder contains letters congratulating Edison on the celebration of his
sixty-ninth birthday. Among the items for 1916 is a letter from journalist John
A. Sleicher reminiscing about Edison’s demonstration of his tinfoil phonograph
in January 1878 at the Western Union headquarters in New York. Also
included are letters from longtime Edison associates Sidney B. Paine, manager
of the Mill Power Dept, at General Electric's Boston office, and Frederick A.
Scheffler.
Less than 5 percent of the documents have been selected. Most of the
items not selected received no response from Edison. Some bear his
marginalia, indicating the reply of a simple "thanks."
Leslie's
ILLUSTRATED WEEKLY NEWSPAPER
V
February 10/1916
My dear Mr- Bdison:
Let me congratulate you on your birthday and
wish you health and happiness for many years to come.
It is a long time ago that, while I was the
agent of the Hew York Press Association in the Western Union
Building, I was called downstairs with the other press managers
to see you make your first exhibit of \ the wonderful phonograph.
I shall never forget the weird feeling I\experienced when you
talked and crowed and shouted into the little instrument and
then reproduced your voice. Out of that production has come
the finished product of your genius. Long may you live to enjoy
i honors so wo rthily conferred upon youX
irely yours,
general electric company
1
84 State Street, Boston, Mass.
February 10, 1916.
, Thomas A. Edison,
Llewellyn Park,
Orange , II . J .
I,Iy dear Hr. EdiBon:-
I7ill you kindly accept my hearty congratulations on
your sixty-ninth birthday.
It does not seem possible that it will be . niity-five
years next October since I formed connection with your Company.
As I look back upon those earlier years and consider what has
been accomplished by you, X think I can appreciate - possibly
only to a limited extent - the tremendous debt which not only
this country but the world at large owes Thomas A. Edison. You
not only created an art but devised ways and means of turning
■ that art into science, and the name which you have made for your¬
self will never be forgotten so long as civilization endures.
I consider it the greatest honor of my life to have
been associated with you in those early pioneer days and I have
been very grateful that through all these years that connection
has been maintained. You must feel gratified when you think of
the achievements which you have accomplished - but to my mind
there is a greater monument, which you have created, in the
affections and esteem of those who have been associated with you.
I sincerely trust that you may be favored with many more anni¬
versaries and that your powers to think and achieve may remain
unimpaired for years to come.
• February 11
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
Dear Mr .Edison:
Will you please accept hearty congratul
from ”rs .Schef Tier and myself on your 69th birthday?
It is almost thirty five years (Hay 30,
is wonderful hov; T.A.E. associates can remember date
I had the pleasure of taking up some work for you at
Avenue. Even at that time the "boys" used to speak
as "the old man"; and there was just as much sense
doing so at that time, as there is now.
long live Edison!
Sincerely yours
Edison General File Series
1916. Book and Journal Orders (E-16-11)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to
books sent to Edison or ordered by him. Among the items for 1916 is a letter
from Brentano's regarding the renewal of Edison's subscription to various
periodicals sent to daughter Marion Edison Oeser in Germany, along with
Edison's comment that he would "like to know if these periodicals ever reach
her address. I myself cannot even receive letters." There is also a carbon copy
of a letter from Edison to sanitation engineer George A. Johnson thanking him
for his book, The Typhoid Toll, and remarking that "two of my children have
had typhoid." Other correspondents include William G. Frost, president of
Berea College, who presented Edison with a copy of Horace Kephart's Our
Southern Highlanders ; and Charles E. Speirs of D. Van Nostrand & Co.
Approximately 20 percent of the documents have been selected. The
material not selected consists primarily of routine orders, letters of transmittal,
and unsolicited correspondence.
Browne Carburetors
j
c
l'L
V — February 2, 191°. —
A:>
\ ,
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
West Orange,
Hew jersey.
Uy dear Ur. Edison,
We are sending you herewith auto¬
graphed copy of Ur. Browne's
"A Handbook of Carburetion" , Just
off the preas of John Wiley t Sons,
Inc.
Critics who passed upon the original
manuscript consider this work to he
the most complete and comprehensive
treatment of the subject to date.
Engineers recognise the importance
and necessity of a standard of carbu¬
retion. We believe that in compil¬
ing and distributing this work,
Ur. Browne and this Company have con¬
tributed much to that end.
Very sincerely,'
EHS/JL
Heakst’s International Library C o.
Ur. Meadow craft, / ) / s\ \ Q )
o/o Thomas A. Edison Cot, f / ^ I
West Orange, / v \ I K
Dear Ur. Meadow croft:
/One of our men, who left suddenly for
the west last west, told me as he was leaving that he
had called on you to see if Ur. Edison would be interested
in presenting a/large number of copies of
"Defenseless America" to his anployees. Ur. Maxim has ^
waived his royalty interest in order to allow wide distribu
tion of the book in the cause of preparedness.
/ Our Ur. Leussler gave me the impression
that vou thought Ur. Edison might be interested in doing
he quoted you a price of $250. a thousand
at which we/are selling many thousands.
ltow, in talking with Mr. Maxim this morn¬
ing, I told him the facts, and knowing hfB^iend^Lf°r
to! Edisori asked him if he, Ur. Maxim, wished us to make
to! mfoS the same cost price that we give the author on
I have sent you a complimentary copy of the
Urr^Ejisonls Interested?
Very truly yours.
Feb. 28th. 1916.
I). Van Hostrand Company,
2b Park Place,
iiev; York City. Attention of Ur. C. K. Spolre.
bear i.lr. Speirs :
few days ago you sent no four or five
books on approval, with a bill. 1 have mislaid the
bill, and would be glad if you v.iil kindly send me .
a duplicate.
Ur. Edison wants you to send the follow¬
ing:
"fext Book of Organic Chemistry"
Bernthsen-Sudborough
"Electro Chemistry of Organic Com¬
pounds"
Lob-lorenz .
Published by John iiiley.
V.iil you kindly send those to mo and oblige.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to i.5r. Edison.
(jy~$~cx fan
J-Ooc- ( lOcoCL c>^ - &ysitLutZ~
&U ( i-i co/i ,
7
CJnn- ) i- /Cn^t^- ~~
J4. ;/. q
jp: , "; '
7( ft? /4-zp c ^st / c<-A~
/ r
6'rxn-n
£(ri
^ T '(’i'l'Uls <£•' (--0 r *—« ■<* r~(s~.
uL c>y (T
sO
7
;,1r. ”/m. H. Meadowcraft,
Laboratory of ”hos. A. Kdison,
Or an {re, K.J.
Dear Sir:
With reference to your order of January 2Gth, we
are sending Parts I. and II. of Dyson’s "A Manual of C hemic
Plant”, which is all that has so far been published.
This is to be a subscription worb consisting of
twelve parts, and in accordance with the publisher's arrange¬
ments we are otfr bill for the price of the entire
boob, and which is to consist of twelve parts.
Part III. will be published some time this month,
and subsequent parts will follow at intervals of about a
month.
tit
D. VAN nos IP. A'lffirOOMP a::y .
(>
-
^ ft
OH MB.
^O/idoeea/ct/ ^ioAa-mAcvd o/f (iso»> merer
e,/ /Ac Sfttafa ^ond/
276 ?oat street
Llewellyn nark,
’Vest Oranr-e, K, .T.
• With our coimlinonts we are
separate cover, for your perusal
'.'History of Tour of united states by the Honorary
OoTnmerciir'Coraralss Loners of China". which we trust
will ho of intorest.
Several hundred copies of the booklet have hoar,
forwarded to the Chinese Cooni ssioners.
Yours very truly.
sending to you, under
and files, copy of
.attent ion of Ur. Spoirs.
D. Van ilo strand Company,
25 I’ork Place,
How York City.
Dear Hr . Cpeirs :
Aftor asking you to send to -Hr ■ Edison a copy of
Schulz & Julius "Organic Coloring Matter", X dislike very
much to he obliged to return it; for when 1 shovea it to
him, he said that a mis take had been made, as he already
has a copy of this book in his library at homo, having pur¬
chased it from you some little time ago.
I aia, tlioreforo, return tho book ;o you by mail,
ana must offer an apology for having unduly troubled you.
Yours vory truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
Babson’s Statistical organization
Mr Thos Edison
Thomas Edison
79-5th Ave
Hew York H Y
o*v
1
We have just issued an "In¬
dustrial Map of Mexico "/showing the
leading Droducts of this country and
where (on the map) they come from.
A short statement of how
Commodity prices in the-United States
will he affected by serious Mexican
trouble accompanies it and is extremely
interesting. If you want a copy free,
fold this letter into an envelope and
address it to — Babson,s, Welle sley
Hills, Mass.
Very truly yours
PFBryant
GJF
cc/\. 1 1
■book was originally published in in¬
stallments of 160 pages a month and
it was purchased by over 150,000 peo¬
ple who are more interested in facts
than fiction.
That thi3 publication contains
more authoritative information, more
articles and more illustrations than
any other monthly magazine in the
world, is not the MOST significant
estimate of its value to you.
B
THE UNPOPULAR REVIEW
COnPANY, Publishers
IRTV-SECONU STREET. NEW YORK
October 14. 1916
Thorifcs A. Edison. Esq.
Dear Sir»
Knowing you to bo specially interested in the relations of capital M&y
labor, we take the liberty of sending you the enclosed prospectus of a
quarterly review started primarily for the discussion of thOBe questions.
Should you oare to see a specimen copy with a view to becoming a subscriber,
we will be happy to send you one.
Tours respectfully
HENRY HOLT AND COUPAHY
BRENTANO’S
FIFTH AVENUE X 27It? STREET
NEW YORK CITY
Oot. 27th, 1916.
EdiBon Laboratory, j ;
Orange, ! .
Gontlomonj
We beg to call your attention to the fact that your aubscrip-
tions to various periodicals to which you subscribe through us, ex¬
pire as indicated below:
LIFE
HARPERS MONTHLY
COSMOPOLITAN
MO 0 LURES MAGAZINE
OENTURY
MUNSEY
HARPERS WEEKLY
Will expire 1916.
J«ro. Marie E. Oooer,
Modenheimor Str. 4,
Uulhouoor Elsaso,
Germany.
. £> urti ,
1 1 l',_ **• " ^ c ^ C ‘
Hoping to be favored with your order for the renewal <fi .Cv1--
we remain, <£,<r*W 3-cC C. 1 1 *> 'i- • - “ ^
Very truly yours, r
TO/JB. F-10G. BRENTANO’S. ..a,
SUBSCRIPTION DEPT. A y '
P. S. If you have already ordered tlie renewal, please disregard this
NEW YORK. U.y. V XJ&t
. ^Jk i\V* &r P\
0f>e kA t>V \
% y , «/ .t c')
> (v r \ c
We take pleasure in referring you to the flfaS
J'1
number of The Engineering Magazine on page.
MIc
of which you will find . Jw)
i .
tv 'lUr. AJniTkjlfibrt _^2»—
IJovombor 11,1016,
Hr. Chas . 3. Sr o ire,
c/o D. Van Hog trend Cora;, -any,
XL park- Since,
L'cw Tor’:, U.Y.
Uy Soar Mr . Spoil’s:
Llr. Hdison wants particularly .
to obtain the follor.-ine booh, namely "'.abollaris
UborBieht her .'CunEtlichen XTarbEtoffs" by 6. Schults
and j? . Julius . Ho wants to obtain' ono copy in
tlio Gorman and one Hnglish translation.
Ho docs not caro whether thoy ara now
or second-hand, but ho would like to got it as
quickly as pondiblo . will you kindly use your
best efforts to not these for him promptly, and
send thorn to no.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. iidison.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
] cu& ejCjCctA,L<l _ ll-6eA*£-t*SLl _ —
fCtt I UrlGa&c-^ _ JmGjS&ffier- -
dk
6-
rc.i.tI7i (P- %fjCt,oc^d
L
/
£ Ls/uriZ Jx-tt
(PlCrlc ffia/JUc. fyt** ^
^Vcie£e^o
kcLcCco ^r£&L^t.Ci'jl£L4.t
httz/te**
Je^. k*f*~~*>
OyaoM.'o. (2>-£r>^-‘+j
fta.2 toTht ■neM*i*.&0
flftiedm
//a^- f(?.
?h*£J-4 litLr*-
/knj, A- WJiee*+i /Wf^
7^ y < *&wu+ <*~~
huhLiL -
TVcie&dij •J^t.ata^y -
f^a£ CS^U, /^7
'tycre&Ad
Hovoriber £7,1916.
Ur. Goorgo A. Johnson, . ■ . .
150 Ilaosau Stroot, '
Hew York, H.Y.
Door Hr. Johnson:
Allow no to extend my thanko to
you for your kindnoss in Bonding me the book on
Typhoid. I am glad . to 'have it, and sliall bo in-
terestod in reading it, as two of my children have
had typhoid. •
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
.
Please issue a requisition on the
Purchasing Department for two hooks on acoustics
which were sent in to Mr. Edison hy the D. Van
host rand Co., Hew Yprk.
These hooks were ordered hy mail hy
Mr. Hutchison, for Mr. Edison.
I have not the names of the hooks at
hand, hut Mr. Savage of the Purchasing Department
can give them to you quite readily.
Doccmbor 0, 1016.
Ur. Ches. 3. Speirs,
g/o D. Van ho strand Company,
2L Per k Place,
Haw ’/or::, 3.*/.
11$ doar Hr. Speirs
lir. Edison is anxious to
cecuro some books and periodicals on Wood-Pulp.
Will you kindly take caro of Hr. Edison's re¬
quest, sending same to me so I may bo ablo to
hand them to him porsonally.
Shanking you for your prompt attention .
in advanco-, and with kind regards, I roraain.
Very truly yours.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
t/n'ti ei, Jar' ft r, Shirtk ' £/> <Uv» . Itttov\ ,
Books received from D. Von llostrand Sc Co., Lionday ci. L. ,
Decembor 11th, on
WOOD SUU? ana. SASjiL iiJIIilG :
Wood Pulp and
Its Uses - C.P. Cross, IS. J. Bevan and
K. W . Sindall. (Westminster Series)
'i'he Manufacture op IAPBH — K. V; . Sindall,
(Westminster Series)
‘'XjfJysLrf
PAP]£A llALIiiG -
TKSI’Ii::; OP WOOD PUU? — Sinaall h Bacon. ^
PAPiixi xBCUWOLOGx , on Piemen tary Manual on the L
Physical Qualities and Chemical Constituents
and Paper-llakiup Pibres by K . W . SIKXlWLL , P. C.
PAPPE IKABB JOUiuiuI— October 19, 1910. *'
" " " October £0,1916. ■
Edison General File Series
1916. Business Propositions [not selected] (E-16-12)
This folder contains unsolicited correspondence asking for Edison's
support or endorsement of a business venture, invention, or idea.
Edison General File Series
1916. Cement (E-1 6-1 3)
This folder contains correspondence relating to the technical and
commercial development of Portland cement. Among the documents for 1 91 6
are letters from consulting engineer Edward Smulski and Edison employee
Charles A. Nicolai concerning plans to test cement at the West Orange
laboratory and other locations in New Jersey.
Two of the five documents have been selected. The material not selected
consists of letters of transmittal and unsolicited correspondence.
-Jt
S-M-l ENGINEERING CO.
CONSULTING ENGINEERS
13-21 PARK ROW
^ ^ ,
New York, September 30, 1916.
-A\
Mr. Thomas Edison,
West Orange,
hew Jersey.
\i
: v
f
.. j
Several days ago Mr. Doe, or the American >'
Concrete Steel Company, took up with you the question )
or permission to erect the concrete test slab which we /
are contemplating on your ground. (
We were informed that you were kind enough to
grant the permission. Upon Inspection or the ground,
however, we rind that it would not be feasible without
serious interference with your business to carry on the
t.enr. ai-j your plant, as the test would require at least
is of loading material.
350 i
In this connection Mr. Doe mentioned tne pos¬
sibility of using Edison1 cement. We are perfectly willing
to use that cement, provided it is thoroughly tested.
Will you please let us know with whom the ques¬
tion of the cement snouia be taken up. We are anxious to
ther building or the slab at the earliest possiole
*9 conclude the test before the
The amount or necessary cement we estimate at
about eighty barrels, we contemplate pouring the footings
Tuesday or Wednesday or next week. The slab proper will
oe built Thursday or Friday.
The place selected for the test is in .Bloomfield,
hew Jersey.
Thanking you in advance for your kindness, I am
iours very truly,
f?'5- ^ ' '
/\^c /
/ October 5, 1916.
Mr. Meadowcroft:
Re. attached from S. M, I . Co.
About a week ago the Engineers
of the Concrete Steel Company asked me for the use
of ground space in the rear of building #12 to make
a test which I understood was in connection with
New Building 21 operations. I Pointed out a space
which we could spare to their Engineers. But evi¬
dently the place was not suitable. It seems now
from this communication that t-he test had nothing
to do with building #21 but was to be a test of
Edison Cement and that they have arranged to con¬
duct the test elsewhere. The letter would also in¬
dicate that they want Mr. Edison to furnish the
cement necessary to make this test.
C Nicolai
Construction & Maintenance
Service Division.
f-i. c I act /Lc*fcrt^»ve.
? c0.o #->v CCrt-njCA-tsC
Edison General File Series
1916. Cement House (E-16-14)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents relating to the
widely publicized development of Edison's poured concrete house. The
correspondents for 1916 include housing developer Frank D. Lambie.
Approximately 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected material consists primarily of unsolicited letters for information
about the house, which received a perfunctory response or no reply from
Edison.
LAMBIE CONCRETE HOUSE CORPORATION
61 BROADWAY
New York telep
January 19,1916.
Ur • Tho s • A .Ed i a on ,
Orange , H.J.
Dear Ur. Edison:-
. last
You will be glad to learn thatyt have ;
I r,
round "The Thousandth Uun” as Kipling speaks about in one Oi
his poems. The old und well known Boston Bankers, Tucker Anthony
L Company have taken up and financed my steel forms vr.d we are
now busy getting started.
the stool!
Kichardsc
of them.
V.'e have a choice selection of underwriters c
One of your old friends, Ur. Fred Fish of Fish,
lorrick S. Heave, who examined the patents, being c
Tits
The new Company owns all the foreign rial
as well as TJ.3.A. and we shall take contracts to build concrete
houses, besides leasing the forms. This we feel will h-lp us
to keep the lease end straight, never to allow the forms to get
into the hands of incompetents.
Your prophesy lias come true that if I stuck
to it and perfected the "one story to one cast" basic principle
that sooner or later the right people, the congenial people, the
honest as well, would be only too glad to oomo in with the nec¬
essary capital.
All I can do nov; is to thank you for past
help you have given me. Your big reward no doubt is the know-
IhoB. A .Edison
January 19,1916
ledge of the fact that wo are going to place concrete houroc
on tho maps
Yours very
Vice Sreoident
?EL/2Vi
BAMC PATENTS BU- Q>*S THU WOBLO / ' ^ ^
Lambie Steel Form Co. _ ^
No. 2S9XBROADWAY
"JELAMpO” j LONDON
j ( ^
^Csv<-*j&- /(~* f(_c*djZ.
/fz^yi^sULZs , S~ y<l<^jz^
— ^clXjL^C. Q/(ty^i a^^uzX^u.^
7>^ Ci^oe- -^tj-c v3^r^V
- /izxn^
^/Scp &K c?-a~(9 , 4L&yzfe
•^Z^TV
9
“l
Ur. Prank D. lambie,
£ lambie Steel Form Co..
61 Broadway,
Hew York City.
Dear Ur. lambie:
Ur. Miller has handed
favor of the 20th instant. Just now
is in the midst of
I paigns, and I am sorry that
for the present to get
s your
Vs-
Edison>A
of his strenuous cam-
| .
J will bc^ several weeks}at least before
\ get his attention to anything but the most ur-
\ gent matters, but I will try to get your letter
\ at some future time.
shall be unable '
letter for you. It ^
can ^
Yours very truly.
t>VU2- Sc^|
V — "Vl.* , / ,
C:2)j ..
*4JL -CijLcttL -A* OZtVL
- t
&*-■(. - ^'Cut^UrLtj i*J (yL.-lstjZ. • (MjZ/
Jbfthft iU. 9 C
^"<L^
LAMBIE STEEL
FORM CO.
, "i
Lambda ;
Allow me to express my appreciation of sympathy in re¬
gard to the recent fire at my plant, and to thank you. for your
good wishes.
I am glad to Bay that my concrete buildings were not
much hurt, and they can he repaired. We are hard at work now.
from what -J hear, you are doing well with your system
of Steel forms for casting concrete houses commercially.
1 hope you will oast the entire house at once before
you get through.
advice
poured
Glad to note that you are so well pleased in taking my
to go into this business. The future ho^ds. rauoh for the
conorete house. _
Yours very t-ruly.
LAMBIE STEEL FORM CO
©Imotfii & (ilmstrfi
GENERAL
Contractors t) c
III
East Hartford, Conn., January 7th, 1915.
Mr. Frank D. Laurie, i *• • '
299 Broadway,
New York, N. Y.
Dear Mr. Lambie:
Your letter asking how Mr. Dunham is pleased with the result of the
first season’s work is received.
As you know, Mr. Dunham bought your form at the suggestion of
his friend, Mr. Thos. A. Edison, and I think that Mr. Dunham has never
had any idea but that they would be completely successful, as he has every
confidence in Mr. Edison’s judgment.
Mr. Dunham at present is in Cuba, so I will reply to your letter, and
it gives me great pleasure to say that as Mr. Dunham’s superintendent
I have erected ten separate structures with the forms in the months of
June to November, inclusive, ranging from a circular silo to nine room
houses, and that with each operation I have become more and more en¬
thusiastic about them.
We at first feared that they might not fulfill all reciuirements, but
as we learned to handle the forms, we came to the conclusion that we
can build any sort of a concrete structure with them, while the costs
obtained were less than we even hoped for. Tn this connection it may
interest you to know that the last house erected, which is 25’ x 28’, con¬
taining seven rooms and bath with provision for finishing two large rooms
in attic, cellar under entire house, was built complete for $2,373.00, in-
cuding plumbing, heating and lighting. We expect to reduce this cost on
our next houses.
I cannot close without thanking you for the direct personal interest
which you and your engineers have taken in our work, and I feel sure
that your efforts will meet with the success which they merit.
Yours very truly,
ARTHUR H. OLMSTED.
lambie Concrete House Corporation
61 BROADWAY
New York telep
January 26,1916
Mr. V/.H.Meadowcroft,
Laboratory of Thomas A.Edison,
Orange , II .J •
My dear Mr. Meadowcroft:-
Yours of January 24th at hand. I thought it
would he a good thing to have Mr* Edison answer the last
letter so that 1 could keep same for future reference, in¬
asmuch as the last one that he wrote me is framed and hangs
in my bedroom to furnish jne with new inspirations every
morning.
V/e are/coming along in fine shape an? I am
sure that Mr. Edison would take a certain pride if he knew
what we were accomplishing, which he will know something
about a little later.
Yours sincerely, .
Vice President v'
?DL/RW
LAMBIE CONCRETE HOUSE CORPORATION
61 BROADWAY
New York teu
CAMBRIA STEEL COMPANY
engineering department
JOHNSTOWN, PA. July l8, 1916.
«*_ a. jJ *i <*■*» Vu;rr^ , “**Sl
East Orange, N. J. <^w<- ^ jL/~.
Dear Sir:- ■ /
We are planning to build a number of houses for our pric¬
ing men and are interested in receiving information regarding costs
and the method of constructing Jjtjbe Edison Poured Concrete Houses.
These houses are to be of four or five room class either with or
without bath. Any information you may send us will be gratefully
received.
Very truly yours, .
1
Chief Engineer.
&
CAMBRIA STEEL COMPANY
ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
JOHNSTOWN, PA. July 2?, 1916.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sirj-
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd re¬
garding concrete houses. We note that you have not gone into this
matter commercially, hut that we can get information from the iambi e
Concrete House Corporation, #6l Broadway, New York.
Thanking you for this information, we are.
Very truly yours^ — ,
Chief Enginee'r/
EHH/G.
y'Kpy.,
KS _ r real estate
A. T. CLARK
\ Lf ~ REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE
foA? - ~
\ (JU^(
,^y/f x ^
; a^*(- ^ ^
Xl2; - - ^“£2
^ ^ ^ V “ 2- Aj. 4^ 7^-"f
a-^s W <su~t2 SjtL/U ^ \
2/ / :&**✓ fr&zZa-/ ^ /
*5 >gA/y^ z^pstji.
i£l 7 22?-
Tf-< t, sr^2ifr ;-3y_rsi
mine! of Ur. Edison (Concrete Houses).
While my system one complete story at one cast,
v/es not exactly Ur. Edison's original thought, it has proven
successful and absolutely, commercial and such concerns as the
American Steel & Wire Company, General Fireproofing Co., loy¬
al Hanna Coal & Coke, Crescent Portland Cement Company and
others fo r whom we have built concrete houses this year, are
high in their commendations of building under thefcr method,
as v/ell as the houses themselves.
There are no industrial houses built on the face
of the earth that approach the big bunch of houses I saw last
Friday at Honors, Pa. built by us for the American Steel &
Wire Company , in beauty as well as strength, and it seems that
every large industrial concern wants this class of house. Our
concern knows where it could build 25,000 concrete houses in AtS.
the next year if we could take them.
The Bankers who financed my proposition this year,
after oiganising and getting ready, which took about six months,
started to build in July, have made such a showing that they are
W.E., Me ad owe ro ft
-2-
December 29, 1916
rroing to finance the Company much larger , and 1917 holds great pro¬
mise.
In the January house building number of Concrete Cement Age,
will appear with photographs, an article from a technical stand¬
point, on one of the large contracts taken. The Saturday .Evening
Post will write a story in the near future concerning our York. I
will mail you both of these magazines. We have not spent a dollar
in advertising and have suppressed all publicity the past year,
simply proving out our system commercially in a large way so tha t
the Eankers may know what they really got; now they are satisfied
and are going ahead strong.
During the last year I have given almost all my thought to
pouring the entire house at. one cast, and have made many experi¬
ments and find it practical and commercial, with a cheap set of
forms costing not over $2500. for a house 25 feet square, two
stories and bassaent.
I can only get the cost of these molds do vm by using steel
at the main points of the house and fill in with 3 in. plank, mak¬
ing these planks subservient to the steel members, it all being so
simple that it is perfectly wonderful, to my mind.
I have a model at my office and am going to form another
Company to take care of all the smaller houses that are being
offered such as my friend Durant of General Motors Company, wants
thousands of these houses at Flint, Michigan, Bridgeport Housing
Company wants $1,000,000. worth at Bridgeport, Conn., and I can
name dozens of conceras same way .
Mr. Ingersoll is ready to join me in this "whole house at
one cast", as he has been over same thoroughly with me for many
V/.'H.' Meadowcroft
Dec. 29, 1916
months, aid before I launch another Company, thought I would drop
you a line to see if we could not possibly get Mr. 3dison(s con¬
sent to lend his name or become a director or something, in this
organisation v/hich Ingersoll and I will form early in the Hew Year
on about the same basis as the old rentable Banking House of
Tucker Anthony & Company, Boston, foimed the "One Story One Cast"
proposition this year, nnmely:-
$1,500,000. Capital
1100 Common Shares par $100.
400 1'fo preferred
issuing the $400,000. preferred for capital, giving the same amount
common as bonus, leaving $700,000. for the promoters, which in this
case would be Ingersoll and myself, and if we could enlist Mr.
Idison's sympathy, after he had made proper investigations which
I could furnish without any wear or tBar on his part, we would
want to allot him $190,000. woth of common stock and all we world
ask for it would be to seek his advice occasionally, and we are
confident that besides doing good work in the world we will make
all of this common stock worth par and very much more.
Mr. Ingersoll has the best organizing and standardizing
mind fox- this kind of work of any man 1 have ever met. ■ He does
not take hold of anything unless he makes a success of it. He
is one man in a million and he and I are of perfect accord, great
friends and we are both sure of success attending such efforts
and the hard woric we would put forth. (We would standardize the
house some as he has his watch business).
At some opportune time I wish you would please do me the
Dec. 29, 1916
W.K,‘ Mead owcr oft
-4-
great big- favor to briefly approach Mr. Edison on the subject "take
soundings" and if you thought he was the least bit impressed, I
would come over with a model and lay the matter before him briefly,
so he would 1 think "get the feeling".
No hurry about this, any time within the next half month.
If you know in advance that he would not touch it with a 10 foot
pole why of course it will be useless but the matter is so thor¬
oughly next to my heart, and I see such visions that I thought it
would do no harm to extend to him at this time the invitation, as
he is the father of the entire movement and he is as glad as I am
that the concrete house has come to stay. The Assocation of Port¬
land Cement Manufacturers of United States, who met in New York
last week, decided to launch a big campaign in 1917 for the Con¬
crete House. This Association is with us.
If Mr. Sdison does not exactly approve of the financial
outline as above Mr. Ingersoll and I would change it. Mr. Inger-
soll will buy sane of the preferred stock himself on same basis
as investors who will all be our friends.
Yours very truly,
December 30, 1916
Mr. ^i.H. Mead owe ro ft ,
Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, hew Jersey.
Dear Mr. Meadoweroft:-
Forgol to say that the patents that have
been allowed this year upon my now system of pouring con¬
crete houses, ONE COMPLETE HOUSE at one cast, are far sup¬
erior and more basic in the opinion of my patent attorneys
than v, -ere the patents on the one story one cast'pr oposition,
which Mr. Fred. Fish of the finn of Fish, Bichardson, Her-
Docomber 30,1916
rhiiSOUAL s :
Hr. 1’. D. liaabi4,
61 3roadray ,
IIok York, H.Y.
Dear Hr. . Iambic :
I have resolved your favor of the
29th instant, and an juct writing this line to
acknov; lodge it.
Hr. Sd icon's uniform rolicy is against
becoming interested in outs id o cutorpriso., bnd
I usually answer letters to this offoct. Hot; over ,
00 yourc la bo flifforom, I an going to show him
your letter in a few days and; rill let you know
rhut ho says .
. V.-ith tho boat of good riahoc to you
for* tho coming year, I remain'.
Yours vbry truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
Edison General File Series
1916. Charities and Loans (E-16-15)
This folder contains correspondence and other documents concerning
Edison's charitable contributions, financial assistance, and donations of
equipment. Among the documents for 1916 are solicitations for war relief
efforts, including the Allied Bazaar for the relief of France and Belgium and the
Bazaar for the Relief of Widows and Orphans of German and
Austro-Hungarian Soldiers. The correspondents include electrical executive
Charles A. Coffin, Marshall C. Lefferts of the Celluloid Co., and Richard C.
Maclaurin, president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Less than 10 percent of the documents have been selected. The
unselected documents received no substantive response from Edison. Many
bear the notation, "no ans."
Wadsworth Hall,
Arrochar, S.I.
Jan. 17th. 1916.
Dear Mr. Edison:
You will recall that about a year ago I introduced
you to Herbert Lewis and S.Takaki of Mitsui & Co. with whom you
entered into contracts for Toluol. At the time X left the matter
of my remuneration open at the suggestion of Mr.Meadowcroft and
now being in dire straits I called upon you today to see if you
would assist me out of my troubles.
I have had no money from Lewis and but a small sum
from Mitsui.
I have become involved in unfortunate litigation
and stand an excellent chance of going to Ludlow Street jail for
contempt of court unless I can raise Six Hundred Dollars on. Tues¬
day and I appeal to you to assist me to this end. I am not in¬
tentionally in contempt for I was out of the city at the time and
wired for an adjournment which was not granted me.
I was at the Laboratory today to see you in person
and laid all the matter in detail before Mr.Meadowcroft as you were
not to be disturbed. If you will ask him he will tell you the de¬
tails should you desire to know them.
I am sending this to your home by special delivery
at his suggestion and I shall call at the Laboratory tomorrow morn¬
ing for my answer which I know will be favorable if you will but
realize my position. It is either the money or Ludlow Street for me.
YJith best wishes for your continued good health and
with expressions of esteem I am.
L ,\*
irk. P a b ru arysBgipzS
x'y w< av
M,4k^
wife is interested in a bazar fo:
X«%?
fit of the war orphans anil widows.
) all my friends with a 3 '■
and taka the liberty {, %
to solicit through you a small contribution in
from Hr. Edison - I have hardly the temerity 1
if he would be willing to donate a phonograph 1
raffled at the bazar. Fianos and automobiles
ready been received, but so far no talking machines have .
Tv
been contributed. The German Chemists’ Society will
have a booth at the Bazar, where contributions will be
on sale. In view of the very large attendance anti¬
cipated the exhibition of these will be advantageous,
and besides Hr. Edison will be assisting a worthy ?
oause--the alleviation of suffering humanity. *v
Trusting that I may hear from you favorably J
and thanking you in advance for your kind cooperation,^ ?
Yours sincerely,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
SUBSCRIPTION LIST.
The undersigned agrees to pay to the Bazaar-collec¬
tion of Mrs. H. Schweitzer, for the benefit of the widows and
orphans of the war, the sum named below:
Name. Address. Amount.
A pro-Schweitzer American, $200.00
A pro-German Schweitzer, 5.00
William Strathman, 2906 Broadway , 25.00
George Geil, 2906 Broadway, 1.00
Grant Burns, 1.00
William G, Burns, 10.00
Luigi Bozzo, 1.00
A pro-Ally, i.00
Prom the trenches, 1.00
Hugo Lieber, ' 5.00
Franz Fohr, 5.00
Schafer Brothers, 5.00
A friend of the Schweitzers, 50.00
William II. Croxton, 5.00
George E. Cruse, 5.00
J. Edgar Bull, 25.00
CharleB 8. Jones, 5.00
'I j
•y c
hr.mae Edison,
H. J.
^ c
-ft
We are writing
a small dinner to be given :
Friday evening. Hare!) third
eight o'clock.
\jto i cLTVr"X^^ /\
t^alNur yisu'w^ll be oij^gacist f
t the Ease:: County Coum.ijjf Club,
Nineteen hundred and sixteen, at
The object o.r the dinner is in gather together a num¬
ber of our frictri : who we k«.,;v; arc locply in ere; ted in the wel¬
fare of the Oranges to discuss a proposed plan for the con¬
struction ora endowment of a r.e'iV hospital building for the Hew
Jersey Orthopaedic Hospital and Dispensary to mee '■ the require¬
ments that are becoming more urgent, insistent and pressing
every year.
During the past few months we have been struck with
the wondcrf1’! work already organized in Europe to repair the rav¬
ages of tar. Not only are arms arid legs being substituted for
those shot away, tom and mutilated, but splendidly equipped
schools have been established to train those crippled on the field
of battle for trades and professions in which the skill of the
surgeon makes it possible for them both to support their families
and serve the State. If this can bo dono in Europe under the
stress and strain of war, surely it is a sad commentary on our
social organization that in time of peace and plenty, seventy five
little cripples during the past few months should have been turned
away from the doors of our hospital and made to carry through life.
unless otherwise relieved, the burden of deformity.
In the hope that we may l:e able to prevent this suffering
nnd waste of energy and meet the ever decreasing demands for treat¬
ment, Plans and estimates have been prepared for a hospital to be
built at the cost of Two hundred thousand dollars on property
already purchased. To raise this amount it will bo necessary to
secure the co-operation of the men to whoa the people look for
leadership and guidance in undertakings of this kind, not only
because of their individual generosity, but because of their
business experience and judgment. Per this reason wc wish to
lay our project before you and some of your friends, furthermore ,
wa want an opportunity of explaining the work that is now being
done, to give the reasons for our refusal to join forces with the
Memorial Hospital in nineteen hundred and twelve, and to report
the results of an investigation into the actual needs of
Orthopaedic work in the community.
V/e know if we can prove to you the need of this hospital
and show that it can be placed on a sound financial basis, the
money will be raised. '.7e also know that if we fail to establish
our case and that after hearing the facts you ere still of tho
opinion that the new hospital will simply be another burden upon
an already overtaxed community, the money cannot be raised.
Wo want to try out this issue.
Ho subscriptions will be solicited, or will your pres¬
ence entail any obligation whatever in the future. Wo do hope
you will come and give us a chance to present our causa.
JjL.APjtJLitr
yt",
DR. H. SCHWEITZER
117 HUDSON STREET
new York. February 16, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange , II . J.
My dear Ur. Edison: -
Mr. Meadowcroft juBt 0iformed me of
your liberal contribution to the Bazaar which will be held
in Madison Square Garden from March 10th to March 24th.
Permit me to thank you most heartily for your
great generosity in not only giving us the instrument, but
also arranging for a concerts during the time of the Bazaar
and for demonstrations of recording the human voice.
I have already communicated with the Bazaar
authorities and have arranged for the construction of a
concert room. The exhibit will be in charge of the German
Chemists' Society, which will take great pleasure in arrang¬
ing with Mr. Meadowcroft all further details.
Again thanking you, I am, with kindest greetings,
Yours sincerely-,- —
/
I'Xecxr't* 6LC
[,(yjt te>TJL*i - f-J >wt? ] CfM
y&M fhcxT ■/■ h^.dc-i.ut'
C3T~"l(\£. jk >-t,t_*i.^ /wi? j
/•iD^ry-frj ^ njf* £ (teK,\\,&xL-
CENTRAL YEREIN
^$i/ttiatiAr<‘. i'ebruar 23,1916.
U-wi*. ^ t UwV
**+->« * •
U^rwcJ f*
rr
14<^
Dear Sir:-
Ho doubt you have aiis^ady heard about the"Charity Bazar"
which will be held at the Milwaukee Auditorium from iiarah 2-Y, 1916*-r'
for the benefit of the war suff|rer^^ uL'-d'— * >
'i’he auditorium, a world famous building, has bejyi^Mmted from
cellar tc " " J” ~~-J * - . . |
purpose.
The greatest i - — — — - .
of about 15,000 to 20,000 people. TMls hall has bedn divided into
booths. Every society has taken charge of at least one boothvin
which they will sell articles^! all^orljS^^
The G.U. 0. Germania of Wisconsin, a fraternal insurance company
has taken charge of two booths, tfe have thousands of donations
from all over the world, a rug from Palestine .antiques from Jeru¬
salem, table cover from India, wagons, horses, automobiles, tickets
for trips to Europe, houses, lots, pianos and everything imaginable,
also and good deal of cash money 4,^^ ~A. (? O'-*5
The only thing that is not represented at the auditorium so fur
is a phonograph and I am herebyWsking you to riluese to be so kind
and donate one of your splendid machines to this bazar. If it is
not possible for you to send one, you could gi/e r~
of your Milwaukee agencies. tLt, ' "
irpose?° r00±‘‘ ^ in°h ~
~ tp.i5-L.fc. ■e.O'^dw S-Ui-VM. -£
The greatest attraction is rftFnnijfn Hall which* ^as a capacity \
\
> a credit to one*-
^ .
This would be very good advertising bedause there will be ii?***'
thousand of people attending this bazar d(tiljr,iKii) only frouyinilwuukee
but from all over the United States and most of the Wisconsin
business men are anxious to donate to have their goods displays^
there.
It would be a very small expense on your side and you ',-^uld be
doing a very good deed which will never be forgotten, and poll will
SckrotSrs-Oflice
t 1 Room 11 Metropolitan Block
- - — =
Third and State Streets
101
nUNTRAL VBREIN
fficgrttnctllDe lliitmitithmiijn-ffirnrllntliaft ffirrurattlu.
#a,Kdison Phon.Co.,
5M3S s s V?jr&&sssms&
fliers who gave their lives for their country.
■ Hoping that yon will not decline J:his uppeul^-oheip along
this noble cause and hoping to hear j.rou 1 y ’
Shan'cing you in advance, I am,
Gratefully yours,
. s“,y 01 "
G.U.G.Germ
29 WEST THIRTY-THIRD STREET
NEW YORK
TELEPHONE 357 GREELEY
Mrs. Pauline Kruger Hamilton
of
The Austro-Hungarmn-American Committee of Vienna
OFFICIAL COMMITTEE
Count Albert Apponyi
Count and Countess Hedervary
Professor Baron and Baroness
Anton von Eiselsberg
Countess Nandine Berchtold
Professor and Mrs. Fuchs
Professor Baron and Baroness
Clemens von Pirquet
Pauline Kruger Hamilton
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
UJ[ y{igbt in Vienna' ”
For the ‘Benefit of e Austro-Hungarian Orphan Babies and Blind Soldiers
%
Grand Ballroom, Waldorf-Astoria
Monday, March 6th, 1916, at 9 p.m.
A delightful entertainment, replete with novelties, has been provided for you.
Many of the country’s most celebrated artists have contributed their services to make
“The Baby’s Festival” a success.
Dancing Viennese and Hungarian Music
This entertainment will afford you an evening of delightful pleasure and an oppor¬
tunity to aid a most worthy cause.
Arranged by Mrs. Pauline Krucer Hamilton, under the auspices of the
Austro-Hungarian Committee of Vienna
Countess Nandine Berchtold
Count and Countess Hedervary
Professor Baron and Baroness
Anton von Eiselsberg
Mrs. Pauline
Kf
Professor and Mrs. Kuchs
Professor Baron and Baroness
Count Albert Apponyi
r Hamilton
Executive Entertainment Committee
Mr. H. C. Pennrich, Chairman
Mrs. Pauline Kruger Hamilton Miss Alice Kauser
Mrs. Charles Knoblauch Dr. Friedrich Fischerauer
Count Franz Revertera
Musical Commute
Ways and Means
Programme Cornu
Finance Commute
Patrons’ Commute
Press Committee
Costumes Commit
Decoration Comm
d8n>. —
Professor Paul Kisler, Chairman
Mr. Victor C. Winton, Chairman
Miss Alice Kauser, Chairman
Mrs. Imre Josika Herczeg, Chairman
Countess Revertera, Chairman
Dr. Fischerauer, Chairman
Misses Godowsky
Mr. P. T. Frankl
“ Babies are Neutral"
For further information, please write or
Mrs. Pauline Kruger Ham
29 West Thirty-third Street, New York
Telephone: Greeley 357
Bazaar for the Relief of Widows and Orphans
of German and Austro-Hungarian Soldiers
New York, March
latever view we may take of the political asc
H it n ry L. Doherty & Company
March 9th, ^1916.
, -I yrp
\ ^
aF/
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Llewellyn Park, N. J.
Dear Mr. Edison:
The New York World will shortly inaugurate
a campaign to secure a fund of $30,000.00 to provide the
machinery and equipment to work out a higher standard of
illumination than has yet been demonstrated by lighting
the Statue of Liberty.
If this plan meets with your approval, you
can help create interest in the campaign by sending in
your endorsement to the New York V/orld immediately after
the first article is published. I will arrange to notify
you by telegram or letter when the first article will ap¬
pear.
It is desired to keep this matter strictly
confidential until the opening gun in the campaign is
fired by an article in the New York V/orld.
Yours sincerely,
THE NEW YORK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BUND
MISS HULKS KELLER
DR, JOHN H. FINLEY
DR. F. PARK LEWIS
MISS WINIFRED IIOLT
EAST FIFTY-NINTH STREET
OBJECTS
SERVICE IS
GIVEN
REGARDLESS
OF RACE OR
CREED
Dear Mr. Edison:
On behalf of the President of this Association
please allow me to thank you for your welcome contribution
for which the receipt is enclosed.
At this particular time we need more than ever
the support of our friends, and we deeply appreciate your
continued interest.
Very truly your s /
For THE NEW YORK ASSOClATIOirPOR tS&E BLIND
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, N. J.
THIS work is
SUPPORTED
ENTIRELY BY
VOLUNTARY
CONTRIBUTIONS
OFFICE HOURS
• irog . New York,.
'tHe'nEW 'VokK ASSOCIATION FOR THE BLIND
111 EAST 69TH STREET
" Acknowledges with thanks
, , oc’/ r— - - - ~zrz Dollars
he receipt of — sc*£*~* x /x~* . — . -
,4It Is very encouraging
doing great '
The Organization
BUSINESS
I-arch 24, 1916
l/.r. Thos. A. Edison,
Orange, I.'. J.
Dear Sir:-
In tine absence of Col. F. P. Holland to whom it was
sent, your favor of J.arch 17tn inclosing check for
ft50 as' a contribution toward a home for superanua-
ted writers, has come to my desk.
In behalf of Col. Holland permit me to thank you
most sincerely for tie contribution. The Colonel
will be absent from Dallas for several weeks but
will write you in person on his return.
Yours very truly, yn. y.
UA5IAGIHG EDITOR.
V-5»^i Tr1'/”R. ...
'r . Thorao3 A. Edison, w , l s *-.<■* JL s'“ V':
Orange, ». J. <3 U«- ~h^~F V
Dear Sir: oUAWf 1*-*^"“^
At the request of Presi^nI^i)oben^of^P^inceton Dn^2S£Jt^’ 1
am calling a meeting of a. number oilmen ‘'living in\ t^ nei^ho^qpd^
Hewark and the Oranges to discusB '^•^e^po^q'l b^llty^o fjt ak 1 n g some is art in
supplying and managing a New Jersey^Tooth at the AlllfiSjJJazpar to he hpld«^
at the Grand Central Palace, New Y^FORty, June^gd^ to ^ine^ 14th , 1916,
under the auspices of the National wtffe^'P.e\Vef Committee the War He-
H»f m earing House for Prance and her^lli^sj and the CommideioV. for P.e-&,
ir/j'I’li'es.f and
i that you have already l
y
redjaetny appeals for this
s the time and effort. I i
icturers to give goods tha.t may he sold at the Bazaar,
le is the same, hut the method is different and shifts
the burden from the few who have already dom
t my office, Room 520 15ss<
Newark, Monday afternoon, May 15th, at four o'clock.
EC/RCC
ERSITY
\ May 17th, 1916.
j . Aaoii #>*■ ®*|** "'f *’
• **
tUtf-VV? "• ■
CLue.
IJy dear Ur. Edison:- i| >•■»*» ciA ;|'-
Mr. Everett Colby '.las infnrmbd^me^hat yo’
misgivings in your mind concerning the linancieJ. standing
had some
3f..<
)erS of the Brand Central msco^ej^^AlU.e^E^
leld. y/hon X was askld Ho’ undertake thp Chai rmMshi:^ ° * JJli
Jersey Booth at the BazaarT^inqui^ed parti(|ilarly concerning
business arrangements, and Mr. Oscar Straus and Uf-. JlemphiU,
President
that ths i
or the New York guarantee and Trust Company, botjf assured me
arrangement with them was a oatisractorv one. VThe Bazaar
e amount received, ti
e construction o f boot
d Central Palace 10/> t
cover rental or building, light, heat,
the carpenter work, the care oT
or nil merchandise which is to 1
Hemphill seemed to think that the best arrangement was one in which
there could be no possibility or the Bazaar losing by any possible
rinanciol irresponsibility on the pert of the members ot the Brand
the building, the receiving and h«
other
e sold, and al}/0VBrheali cliargas.
Central Palace. I an
7/ith varan st j
securing your conporntinn*
X
w'»Tw.
ln&Xk”* r*.
aX wC***#-"-
1’homas A. Edison, Esqil • \. J, ..
Orange, E.J. ^^“"3 ,
Iiy dear Hr. Edison: ^fjawwfc .
* \ , f> -vui.u.i*. A.f. l"«n
I have unlucki?^ been drawn into thfilpo s xt i on'\|/_^
of a member of the executive
which is to be held in the Grand Central Palaco\Hew York.
It is hoped it can be made a great success, including,
does the work for and activities of the^^
JL
__ tuk
Commission for Relief in Belgium, f7 / Q \j
Rational Allied Relief Committee, ana ****
War Relief Clearinghouse for France an^ Her^ Allies .
• - - - *"M*6 *“ *“ *“ie43fiC»«
well as a half dozen others connected with^this^on ibl<? w .
Iiy purpose in writing this is to ash if y°u,^/^
out of the generosity of your soul, will contribute sucht^4
or things to the bazaar as are most characteristic of
great work and supply a demonstrator therefor for the period
from June 3rd, to June 14th inclusive.
/ All the members of the executive committee of
the bazaa/will greatly appreciate anything which you feel
disposed' to do. /
/ Very truly yours.
\U
J)Y~
ty* OU. C#-, i r-** *
Uay 18, 1916
Thomas A. Jidison, Ksq. ,
Orange, II, J.
Dear Ur, iialson:
Hef erring to my appeal of yesterday on
hehalf of the ALLIiSD BAZAAR, I think I should tell you
that it will he difficult to arrange for a separate room
in the Grand Central Palace, hut every effort will ha made
to have anything you donate so placed as to make a demon-
stration of it practicable and attractive. -f
Very truly yours.
~ -
L
Referring to Mr. Coffin's letter of the 17th and
your notation thereon, I wish to call attention to his sub¬
sequent letter of the 18th. You will note from the latter that
he anticipates difficulty in getting a separate room for us.
I think, however, there would he no difficulty m putting up
a booth, hut the expense would he considerable and would
probably have to be borne by us.
There is another important consideration involved.
If we give them a phonograph or phonographs to be raffled off,
we do something that we would not permit our dealers to do. As
you know, we are skating on pretty thin ice when we demand that
our dealers observe all of our rules and regulations in respect
of price maintenance, and I believe we ought not to do anything
ourselves that we will not permit them to do.
It is my opinion that it is inadvisable to demonstrate
the instrument at this 3
1st - The Edison, like the Mason & Hamlin and
Steinway pianoB, is a little too fine a thing to be
demonstrated satisfactorily in such a place.
2nd - The expense of demonstrating at Expositions
is usually out of proportion to the benefits derived, and
we have adopted the rule of declining to go into any
Exposition as an exhibitor.
3rd - If we present a couple of Edison Phonographs
to the Bazaar and permit them to raffle the instruments,
we thereby do something that we will not permit our deal¬
ers to do and correspondingly weaken our position on price
maintenance.
It appears to me that, everything considered, it would
be better to send a check to the Bazaar for a reasonable amount
than to make them a present of a couple Phonographs, and con¬
sidering the fact that we probably can't get a suitable room
for the demonstration Tinless we put up a booth ourselves, I
don't believe that the advertising we would get
stration at the Bazaar would be worth the expense. however, if
after considering all of these points you nevertheless feel that
it is advisable to go ahead, I shall get in touch with Mr.
Coffin immediately.
WM-AH
C. A. coffin
Thirty Churoh Street,
New York.
May 23, 1916.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, H. J.
Dear Mr. Edison:
I am now informed that, it having been
decided to take an additional floor at the Grand Central
Palace for the ALLIED BAZAAR, a room can he provided for
the demonstration of your musical devices.
I therefore hope you may he constrained
to make the contemplated donation with the understanding,
of course, that the arrangements for its demonstration shall
he satisfactory to you or your representative.
The hazaar management also inform me that
it would he greatly appreciated if you could send an auto¬
graph letter somewhat _in jthe following form:
This phonograph is my personal contribution
to the Allied Bazaar, and 1 hope it may he of
some satisfaction to you and afford those to
whom it or other phonographs may he awarded,
pleasure and profit for many years. M
You have my congratulations and hest wishes
Very truly yours. ^ ^
Referring to the attached letter of the 24th from
Mr. Keeler, there is not the slightest legal reason why we
should not sell instruments to the Bazaar at any price we see
fit. If we decide to do so there are no formalities that need
to he observed beyond having a gentleman ‘s understanding with
them as to the manner in which the instruments will be dis¬
posed of at the Bazaar.
The objections to selling Edison Phonographs to
the Bazaar at a discount are objections based on the company‘8
policies.
One source of strength that we have with our
dealers is our rigid adherence to the one price policy in
all of its aspects. We are credited by the trade with a
greater sincerity in this respect than any of the other manu¬
facturers. We take great pride in being able to say, and
frequently do say, that aside from our own employees no one
but a licensed dealer or jobber with an established place of
business can buy Edison phonographs from us at less than full
list price. If we make an exception to this rule in the
case of the Bazaar, some of our dealers are likely 'to inter¬
pret it as a breaking down of our traditional policy.
The second objection. to letting the Bazaar dispose
of any ooreiderahle number of $dison Phonographs is that there
will be no dealer whom we oan compel to give mechanical servioe
in case anything goes wrong with the instruments , with the
result that we would either have to look after them ourselves
or hire a jobber or some dealer to do so.
A third objection is that we will not permit a
dealer to raffle an Edison Phonograph, and if we promote the
raffling of several Edison Phonographs by the Bazaar, we
perhaps somewhat weaken our position with such, dealers as
learn of our action.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
C.C. for Ur. Ueadov/croft.
Kay 31, 1916.
Dr.
Hay 29th, advising that the writer would
communicate with you in connection with the supplying
of an Edison Dictating Machine for the Mixes Da sanr,
V’e believe that v/c are acting properly in
this matter to supply this Dictating .Machine with the
Phonograph which is hoing installed this week in the
Grand Central Palace, and if you have any further
instructions to "give the writer, we will be pleased to
hear from you.
’fours very tru^y,
TKOiiAS A. 3DIS0Ii, IKCOHPCB vfSD,
JHTHD VIC.';
43K
.jp* „i^^r J, ,
" ^ s' f- I1
i'tuUn»v«stt\| ofEnvtmto. \^\ ^ \c~ cv' ^
vt \Jr '■ * /
Jpe 'Warsttp iHapjtne Supplement y •. j j
' " June 2 3rd, 1916. .V ' j/
.. Attention Mr. Edison.
Gentleman - -
At the outbreak of the war the Governors, the Staff, and the
Students of the University of Toronto organized, u base hospital, undor
the direction of the Dominion Government, for service at the front, and
which -was placed at the disposal of the Allies, and which now is located
at Saloniki, in Greece, where it treats over 1300 soldiers
1 daily.
When the Canadian history of this war is written, one of its
moat glorious pages will be the number of Canadian hospitals organized
and sent from Canada, whose efficiency ana provision for the relief of
the suffering and the comfort of the wounded soldiers has won the high¬
est praise. On behalf of this work we appeal to you for help.
We appeal to you, because of that sympathy we believe you have
in our work, and we feel assured that in addressing you we are address¬
ing sympathetic friends and neighbors, and that your corporation through
the instrumentality of our University, will be pleased of this opportunity
of aiding those who fall in battle.
Over 300,000 Canadians are on active service, and 3,000
graduates and students of our University have enlisted, and many of them
our honoured dead, sleep under the soil of Prance and Belgium.
The services that our hospitals will render the wounded will
depend on the resources which they, command to meet the great expenditure
incurred in maintaining an organization of this kind at the battle front.
With a view to further aiding and supplementing their previous work in
raising funds for this purpose, the Students' Administrative Council of
the University will publish a special illustrated edition of their
college journal, "The Varsity", the fhll proceeds of which will go to
the eauipment and maintenance fund of our Canadian hospitals organized
for servioe at the front and at home, and we hope through our present
campaign to. add Jl00.000.00 to our Hospital Fund.
Among the contributors will be Sir ftobert Borden,
ster of Canada'; President Falconer, University of Toronto;
Walker, President Canadian Bank of Commerce, Sir Frederick
, Prime Mini-
Sir Jidmund
Will iams-
graduates a£ SKr? enlisted; gtog.pl,. ». bio-
SSJ5" of 1 t£°SiSS.5;eo?1 LCotioi Bat Hof tax . and photographs
of the Ambassadors of the Allies, at Yfashington.
mill? v.-jothy MAGA2IHE SUPPLEMENT will be sold throughout
Canada and^JS-?^®. °^-0^^on1fU^9^rf 1 ^0
Our aim is to make it the most notable publieati on ot tne **; for
;r ^iS^ ssm sa
mmsmmmssz-sc'
pository for our Funds.
Canada is your best customer many of °”rPfnf ^'^^dy;°far 3
people, and many of y™* pe°pl canlda Ld the privilege of contributing
IZ^llorXlt S «dfPOrllarSato
her°f alien soldier s? who are’ fighting for the common cause of humanity.
tend to him.
\’ie beg to remain,
Yours faithfully,
STUDENTS 1 ADMIH1 3TUATIVE COUNCIL.
CAjjUjiJi, CMU
’ Ggneral Secretary and Treasurer of the
Varsity Magazine Supplement Hospital rund,
University of roronto,
Toronto, Canada.
CHARLES WHITING BAKER ,
• . -==="• . ^
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
My dear Mr. Edison :-
I am trying in many ways to raise funds for the French and Belgian
War orphans and xrae of my little plans has been most attractive.
Scribner Sons ' made for me a fine autograph book of vellum in which I
am asking American children and "grown-ups" also, to write their names
(at 10^ each) and then the book .is to be sent (by permission) to
His Majesty King Albert of Belgium, to be given to his little daughter,
Marie Jose, from the American children.\
I am boldly asking a few distinguished men, like yourself, to come
in and join the children in this; - (and any of your family who wish
to do so), will you be kind enough- "to sign our book - if I send it
over to your home, at your convenience? All of we 'clergymen have
signed, and Dr. Hugh Black &c : . Our dear friend Mr. William Couper
and many other artists have promised sketches, to insert in it, and
we think it is to be worthy of the object intended. Ex- President
Taft and probably Col. Roosevelt and several others also will sign it;
and it seems most popular - though it has only just started. I had
a big affair on my lawn, (per enclosed program) and we made $500.00
that night. She autograph album was one of the attractions of the
Belgium tent, and we made several dollars in 10^ pieces- to be sent
with the book so that the little exiled Srincess may give the money
collected to the homeless Belgium children.
I sincerely trust that you, kind sir, will sign this book, and
make us very happy - kindly tell your Secretary when X may send it
over.
I neglected to say that in the front of the book is this pledge .
"She American children, pledge our loyal devotion to
the principles of Liberty and Justice for which
the Belgium people have given their last full, measure
of devotion".
I am sure any good American may sign that.
Pardon my long letter, kind sir, and with great admiration, I am,
Very faithfully,
(signed) R. Wheeler Baker.
(Mrs. Charles Whiting Baker).
7va^CaN c
4/k/
c.i (id
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
CHARI
/Lu^s~c-dL
. -
A N A L L E G O \\ Y
JUNE 9, 19 16
1'RKNCH A N I) Iliac! I AN OR I’ll A NS
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
PATRONESSES
^ 4/
fib-' k(-? TVt-^Cl
July 12th. 1916,
Mr. Collier C. Grant, •
Genoral Secretary and Ereesuror of the
Varsity Magazine Supplement Ho op it al Mu#!,
University of Toronto,
Eoronto, Canada.
Dear Sir :
Your favor of tho 23ra ultimo has been handod to
mo, and X have given its contents careful attention.
An advertisement such as you suggest would con¬
flict very seriously with some vory elaborate advertising
plans which were decided upon several months ago, and which
are now being carried out- I shall, therefore, havo to ask
you to oxcuse mo from entering into tho advertising foaturo,
but instead I should prefer to send my personal chock for
$100.00 for the fund, instead of giving tho advertisement.
If this is agrooablo, plcaso adviso mo as 410 where
I shall send the cheek.
Yours vory truly,
(
rj 1-0 C ■
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
\LLURGICAL AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING VOL. XV,
tiul the i
the Had
itmlents
rinK practice,
il vantage of
for further
of the third
he regular
Bachelor’s
-rvcniiiK sum-
>r's and Alas-
ihemical engi-
those whose
previous
irmation are
creditably
be of service to the industry concerned, yet this
pective return is not figured as an asset to the ph
a return for the use of the factory as a chcmica
neering laboratory the Institute proposes to es
and direct for each company concerned a resea
gan i /.at ion devoted entirely to the solution of it
vidua! problems. While a laboratory will lie mail
at each station, the extensive research facilities
Institute will be available for work of a specia
actor, and the faculty of the Institute will func
a consulting stall*.
The earning power of industrial research is n
lirmly established to require any argument to
strate the possibilities for co-operative service
the plan possesses. It is earnestly hoped that in
be found an effective method by which science
more closely linked to industry for the lasting 1
Hygroscopic Properties of Sodium, 1:
sium and Ammonium Nitrates, Potass
Chlorate and Mercury Fulminate
77' A.
.oil) Company / .
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
1 Ju> CU
homas A. Edison, Esq., u WJ*wU*'^Y’ T**' t7 *
Llewellyn Park, ixAtf'n,. U*-. ,
West Orange, ;N. £,1C» eUrtw 4
*“ “• £UL4. *»» WMi
Through the courtesy of Hr. lefferte, I present for /
£t-4X^L
■our consideration some of the data cbnoerning the George \ . ,
*W tU
'ashington Memorial Building. Sor yoto conyeri^ence, I;-,wiU H ^ lvf...
tate as briefly as possible tfce main facts. 'J J j-f. 4 1
Thomas A. Edison, Esq., M
Llewellyn Park,
West Orange, ,M. J. .
4<?t
Dear Mr. Edison: \ ■ „
Some years ago a gtfCup \f men ant
with the fact that there was in the JJity o:
of sufficient dignity and size to permit Jfi
national character to be carrfed’ on in 1 p]
JxC&U-fa. 4
Oup'of men and women wepre impressed
Ix4j£.^> d> tJ&t-M 'ViCA.<-^f<w/
in the City of Washington no building
jgS^T,-* K«« **■*•*♦•**
;e to permit Jfune ti'ons that have a
**«£*&. tfSiKft
led. on in a proper way . As the > ^
.1 j.^1 -WLy-vw. U5«^-»
for a Geo qge Washington Memorial
..... rr
Building gradually took shaJiW-4*-' *Ab you*^iow .W^h^igton/was
eager that our national city should be a center for that^general
diffusion of knowledge the promotion of which, he declared in
his farewell address, to be of primary importance. He bequeathed
canal bonds which had been given to him by the State of Virginia
towards the endowment of a university in the District of Columbia,
but these proved worthless .
In an appeal to Congress on the Bubjeet of such a
university, Washington said of the assimilation of the principle:
opinions and manners of our country, - "the more homogenous our
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
-2-
oitizens can be made in these particulars, the greater will he
the prospect of a permanent union.”
It would seem therefore that a convention hall large
enough to provide for great national and international assemblies
would be a fulfillment of V/ashington' s wish carried out along the
line of present day needs. Congress has done its part in giving
a square of land facing the Mall east of the Mew national Museum.
The control and administration of the building is vested by Aot
of Congress in the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institute.
The accepted design for the Memorial has been approved by the
Commission of Fine Arts. Photographs and ground plans of
the same accompany this letter. In addition to the great
Auditorium dedicated to the Signers of the Declaration of Inde¬
pendence and capable of seating 7,000 people, smaller halls and
many rooms for permanent headquarters of scientific, educational,
patriotic and literary societies, have been provided.
President Wilson has recently said: "We should wish to
regard this as the one place where ideas worth while are exchanged
and shared" - this was said in reference to the Rational Capital.
The proposed serviceable Memorial to Washington would provide a
suitable meeting place for such an exchange and sharing of views.
By Act of Congress the George Washington Memorial Asso¬
ciation was given authority to collect Binds. The same Act pro¬
vided that the building must cost not less than two million dollars,
one million of which must be in hand before the building operations
About 1-350, 000 had already been donated. Among
Messrs. J. J. Hill, John A. Dix, J. B. Duke,
are begun,
the donors
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
-3-
Hiram Sibley, Edward Harkness and Meadames John Hay, F. P. Thompson,
Phoebe Hearet, R. D. Evans and William BlisB.
In order to hold the gift of land the Association must
complete the first million before March, 1917. Therefore a special
effort is being made at this time to arouse patriotic people to an
appreciation of the value of the Memorial.
I appeal to you for your endorsement of the enterprise.
Such an endorsement will mean more to those to whom we present the
cause of the practical value of this timely undertaking than the
endorsement of any other American.
If you find it possible to write a word which shall
carry your approval of the plan, you will render a very great
service to the Memorial. Should you also find it possible to
commend the work to Mr. Henry Pord so that with your approval
I may gain a hearing with that gentleman, that would be a much
valued assistance. Perhaps I should tell you that my only
interest personally is the satisfaction of doing my little toward
this national work.
I will ask you to have your reply directed to me at
Hotel Cadillac, Detroit, where I arrive on October 17th. Should
you be interested in talking this matter over I shall be most
happy to return to Hew Vork, but I trust that my statement, necessa¬
rily a long one, may find favor. with you.
With great esteem, believe me, my dear Mr. Edison,
(Mrs. A.J. George) Very truly yours, ^
£ disc*
Your esteemed £ av o r oL' Ootober 24
I appreciate your statement and I should n
did I not fear that you' have entirely misu
quest.
Hotel Blackstone,
Chicago, Ill.
Oot. 30, 1910.
. is at hand,
ot again .vrite you,
nder stood my re-
It is not at all the wish of its trustees to have
the George '.Yashington Memorial built at tne expense of the
world-wide relief work, the Bed Cross Societies ,or any other
of the meritirious charities which press their deserved
claims upon us.- Heither is it the wish of those men and
women to interest -Mr . Ford in the Memorial in such a way as
to influence his gifts to these other causes.
The fact is,, teat in order to bind the pledge of land
(riven by Congress four years ago, the first million must be
In hand by March next; about four hundred thousand dollars
of t.nis amount is already- paid in. If the balance could be
assured. the buildins of this Memorial, which it is ,-oped will
contribute so much to the cause of Industrial Peqce and
understanding between the nations, could be undertaken at once.
Because of the necessity for prompt action, I h d hoped
to interest Mr. Ford who could easily make this work possible,
and, quite in accord with your own views, it would not be neceosar;
to go to the public in a general way for subscriptions
you say, they are overburdened with requests franall quarters.
Furthermore, it is my understanding that, quite independ¬
ent of charities which I.!r. ford may recognise and favor, he is
ready to give liberally to such undertakings as tne memorial, if
he can be convinced of the integrity of the project and of its
National usefulness.
May 1 again express the hope that you may be willing to
commend the project? This commendation would me with
the means of reaching and interesting Mr. ford, undouDtedly to
the extent of investigating; for he certainly could not fail
after investigation to recognize the wide useiulnesc of ouch
a Memorial as is proposed. I apologise for the second
appeal to you but the importance ol' the Memorial as an im¬
mediate undertaking urges me on.
Believe me. my dear Mr. Edison, with most sincere
regards.
(Mrs. A . J . George).
Very
truly yours,
r\
0W-*
• ^
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
These folders contain correspondence and other documents relating to
the expansion, consolidation, and reorganization of Edison's personally
owned organic chemical businesses in 1 91 6. Included are items pertaining to
the addition of new product lines such as para-amidophenol (used in dyeing
and photograph developing); sales, contracts, and deliveries; customer
complaints about the quality of the product; and plant design and operations.
There are also references to increased chemical production by other
companies, declining prices, the search for new phenol and toluol customers,
and the decision to discontinue aniline production at the end of the year.
Specific issues that received Edison's personal attention include the design
of a new benzidine plant, widespread phenol discoloration due to faulty cans,
the accumulation of unsold stocks of low-demand chemicals such as
naphthaline and myrbane, the sale of toluol to foreign governments, and a
contract dispute with Great Britain involving Herbert Lewis, John Fletcher
Moulton, and Lord Northcliffe.
Also included are interoffice communications providing summary
information regarding plant productivity, contracts for raw materials, the
distribution of phenol and paraphenylenediamine to various customers, and
the status of Edison's personal chemical plants. A few documents discuss
more general issues such as labor conditions, environmental pollution,
Edison's opinions about the future of the U.S. chemical industry, and his ideas
on color dyes and chlorine products.
Most of the business correspondence was initially handled by Edison's
personal assistant, William H. Meadowcroft. By the end of the year, most
sales had been turned over to the newly formed Chemical Sales Division
under the direction of Frederick D. Lockwood, while specialty products made
in smaller volumes were sold in bulk to the American Oil & Supply Co. in
Newark. Other Edison employees who appear as authors and recipients
include chief engineer Miller Reese Hutchison, who also negotiated sales
contracts in his own right; plant designer William H. Mason; H. H. Meno
Kammerhoff, supervisor of operations at Edison's chemical plants in Silver
Lake, New Jersey; plant managers Wilfred S. Dowling and James T. Phelan;
experimenter Peter C. Christensen; and sales managers Archibald C. Emery
and Frederick D. Lockwood.
Among the corporate correspondents are E. B. Badger & Sons., Binney
& Smith Co., Dominion Iron & Steel Co., Ltd., , Du Pont de Nemours & Co.,
Eastman Kodak Co., Merck & Co., Mitsui & Co., J. P. Morgan & Co., E. R.
Squibb & Sons, and Stein Hirsh & Co., as well as numerous firms in the textile
and fur dyeing industries, which were major consumers of Edison's products.
Other correspondents include benzol purchasing agent Clarence Dillon,
aniline sales broker Stanley Doggett, Swiss chemist William Knecht, and
Lieutenant Commander H. Kimberly, powder inspector for the U.S. Navy.
Because Edison's secretaries glued carbon copies of replies to the
original incoming correspondence, the items in these folders are not in exact
chronological order. Some of the letters may be difficult to read because of
the dark brown paper used for the carbons.
Approximately 15 percent of the documents have been selected. The
selected documents reflect Edison's personal role in making business and
technical decisions, setting overall strategy, and dealing with specific
customer relations problems. The unselected material includes routine
business correspondence handled by Meadowcroft; inquiries that received
standard replies; routine items relating to orders, shipping, and delivery
delays; credit checks on prospective customers; routine and unexecuted
contracts; sales catalogs; chemical analysis reports; customer lists; multiple
copies of form letters; and replies stating that Edison was away in Florida or
on a camping trip. Also unselected are technical and business documents not
handled by Edison personally such as complaints about product quality;
reports on benzol plant operations from Claude H. Opdyke at Woodward,
Alabama, and John Bacon, Jr. at Johnstown, Pennsylvania; technical notes
on plant design and operations; and routine administrative records relating to
the various Silver Lake plants. The numerous outgoing letters that duplicate
the correspondence in the General Letterbook Series have not been selected.
Related material can be found in the Harry F. Miller File— Chemical
Correspondence and Contracts (Legal Series) and in the Chemical Production
Records (Special Collections Series).
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
January
January 5i >■ 1916.
Mr. Edison:
Ploase adviso mo if you will have any toluol
"or salo this year, and if so, what price you are. asking for
it.
IIUi’UHinOil .
The Edison Portland Cement Company
CONCRETE FOR PERMANENCE
PHENOL DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
WORKS. SILVER LAKE. N. J.
Edison laboratory
Silver Lake. N. J.,— Jaiiy..— 4, -1916.-- —
- Y
i'r. '.V. H. Headowcroft,
Laboratory. ^ - - g-
Lear Ur. headowcroft:- (jL^aaA "?£** L'>
Confirming telephone conversation 0|^yesterday reg/u-ding_ the
drums belonging to U.itsui & Co., we finf
n hand. Of the 3
for residue from th , _ . ^ ^ rC^.JtV r «:*•<♦ -*» —
r that *purpo8c repeatedly, land twelve which
have not been used. Upon taking tlus'matterTup with Tp^'lially , he
advises that he was direated to use these drums for this, purpose
bv :?r. Edison. f
l. Of these we have. used twe^r^as^ooiiteuiers^^
thelfiltering presses, twenty-six for s*"”™
r U5-V-V
Very truly yours, y' /
-r. ^ .,r*
1ft" <i'“ , f‘
!►** n „•* >••
Xz'i ;
1 ...
<v<5
0^°
c)
**■* et^J )!*"
January 4, 1916.
Hr. Thomas A. Edison.
Estimated Construction Cost To Date
Aniline Division
Labor and Uaterial $ 105,711.13 ^
Phenol Division
Labor and Uaterial 208,495.70
Woodward Benzol Plant
V.liK
•V Co.
Dear Ur. Edison:
mitJanuary 4 i 191 6
■eoeipt of your note in re¬
gard to extending youf benzol contract to the end of
this year. I have ta£en this matter up with my friends
and they are very anxious to take care of you if they
can. They have not /made any sales at all for some time,
and have not renewed any of their contracts which have
expired.it being JSheir intention to reserve all the
benzol they can in order to be able to take care of you.
They will not sell benzol to anyone without first giv¬
ing you the opportunity to buy.
/ You understand of course that they are
building a pla£t to refine benzol, and this plant will
use a large amount of their product, but not their entire
production, anil they now think they are going to be able
to take care of you.
| X am writing them again today and
suggesting that they figure over tr.elr production and
requirements |o that we can give you an early answer.
Then you will }have a definite idea of what quantity you
may expect frofy them. I hope to have an answer for you
by the end of fh^jteplc.
wishes for <
Very truly yours.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.
Orange, ii. J.
CD-JS
. January 4, 1916.
Edison Laboratory, i j JuLa neuw*
______ — j^s^air^r
Just how the! change of ownership of the
Arlington Company is going to affect you is interest¬
ing. This change will he very much to your^d^an----,,, t
The solution department w(}ich has up to --
this time been supplying'! your Lacquer and Enamel needs
is going to he operated by the DuPont Chemical Company
at 120 Broadway, New York City. This means, that instead
of having this business handled as a side line hy a p
larger Company, it will fee handled and conducted as a ^
separate business; the whole undivided attention of
its employees will he to! satisfy you. r
We would like ito have you forward your p
correspondence to this new address and take up all f
matters pertaining to this department of the Arlington ?
Business with us at this new address. '
The orders which we have on hand will he
given our immediate and heist attention and shipment will
he made the first part of ^his week.
180/0 lacquer when used as a Thinner will
enable you to bring the— crbst or~enarael down to an inter-,
esting figure. Inquire about this lao^uecat our new
u tlV
inter-> & SY
new it — l .
v h t
STRAUSS & HEDGES
V V
laboratory of Thomas A.Edii
Orange, Hew
Gentlemen:
•XXM'-fo, ( ^l A '
TSfc*. &
VCTJl «**
1 *,^~C '&/%■
Jersey t
Attention of Ur. ‘aleadowcroi’ t. Cc- <Sjk*»*'-«p* vwt»v
We take pleasure in confirming herewith our telephone (L.0 tic.*,./
D>t^- V'"* ‘6t
message to Hr. Headowcroft to the effect that the Board of Three
U-f *’T/l"<r f't ...
General Appraisers has, under date of the 3d instant, sustained
the correctness of your entered value of benzol shipped through ^
Rouses Point and covered by entry Ho.A-773. thus overruling the
appeal to re-reappraisement of the Collector, releasing the car
from seizure and also relieving you of the total amount of pen¬
alties and additional duties incurred. This shipment covers
car Ho. 520 via Grand Trunk Railvfe.y entered at KousesPoint on
August 16, 1915«
As explained to your Ur. Meadowcroft, the grounds upon
which we secured this favorable decision were applicable only to
this particular shipment, and have no bearing upon later entries
in which additions were made on entry. It developed at the hear¬
ing through reports of the U.S. Consul and the U.S. Special Agent
that the Dominion Iron & Steel Co. had been selling benzol in
Canada nt sixty cento per gallon on dates subsequent to August
16, 1915, and such sales prove the existence of a market in Canada
at sixty cents per gallon. Whenever a foreign market exists, the
law prescribes that duty must be assessed upon the usual wholesale
prioe in such foreign market, and it consequently follows that your
subsequent shipments, made during the existence of the said Canadian
*2- laboratory; of -Thomas A. Edison
1/4/16
market, must pay duty on the basis of sixty cents.
As all subsequent shipments were duly protected on entry
by Messrs. F.W. Myers & Co., who made edditions on entry to make
the price equal 59-1/2/. there will be no penalties assessable
upon these shipments, but the duty of upon the difference be-
iv-een 59-1/2/ and 25/ per gallon (less freight, charges, etc.)
cannot be recovered.
In fact we advise you against taking any steps toward
recovery, as we do not believe that you can be successful, because
the peculiar facts relating to the seized shipment were applicable
only to that shipment and have no bearing upon subsequent entries.
v/e deCm ourselves particularly fortunate in having been successful
in your behalf on the reeppraieement case involving the seized c..r
and believe that it ie'&4e$&> f°r y°u t0 inour the eXpen£'6 of
any further litigation.
In relation to; your ..future shipments we advise you to con¬
tinue entering at 59-1/2/ per gallon until such time as you are ad¬
vised by the Dominion Iron & Steel Co. that they are selling in
Canada at less than sixty cents a gallon. When such time arrives
you would be justified in reducing your entered value to conform to
the price et whioh the Dominion Iron & Steel Co. ere then selling
in Canada.
„u.t Oat »o hare ««a= thi. *»«" °le“’
.halt a. git to ha.0 you inquire further If th.re i. ouy point
upon whioh you require further enlightenment..
If you intend to accept the advice above given, kindly
write to us so advising us, and authorizing us to abandon any
-3- Laboratory of Thomas j&.Bdison
1/4/16
appeals taken upon subsequent shipments.
Messrs. i’.W.Jiyers & Co. have arranged to secure the formal
release from seizure and will in due course refund to you any de¬
posit *hioh they have been required to make in relation to this
We are more than pleased to have been of effective service
to you. and enclose herewith our bill for services rendered.
Very truly, yours, ,
jps/moH
P.S. Referring to third paragraph on the second page of this letter,
we beg to point out to you that this advice is applicable only in
ease the price at which the Dominion Iron & Steel Co. are selling in
Canada does not rise abpvi- sixty cents. In oase the price advances
beyond sixty cents, you should enter upon the basis of such advanced
^ 06 ’
H-
i d- {'- < ! ^ ^
1 •** t-*nuary 4
3,.C~
To *'
.CC C< ■
>euks o^U—
,,.c.r s January 4th „ l'916
^ 1
I lo-o <-'T’
Dear Mr. Edison: - o-i* I , . y
When you first mentioned toluol, you spoke of W
as available from 1st March; your last letteryspe
1st May. Tie would much prefer the^ earlier delivery, but h.
ready to consider toluol from May on. I think, however,
must name a price; I do not know what a contract of that
would command. Can you not -rive me an idea?
With best wishes for the Hew Year,
Yours very truly.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, H. J.
-January bth. 1916.
Jr. 'dammorfcoff :
I euclosedhercwith a letter from Mitsui I: Co.,
dated December olst. You will see that they ask a number
of questions to which Ur. Edison has partially replied by
pencil memorandum. I notice he has not replied to the latter
half of question f£.
In regard to the data askod for under question
„4, you till see that ho thinks that this data has already
been supplied in your previous memorandum but if it fias not
will you kindly send mo the informatioried called for by this
question ;,4.
1 note that theseu Japanese have done an injustice
to youin the way of spelling your- name, but I guess we shall
have to overlook that.
V.. H. UEADJV.ChOFT . •
Enclosure 6320.
jiiaoricaa Oil - Supply Co.,
L2 Lafayette Street,
i!ev;ar:r, ii. J.
Gent le sen :
.Enclosed herewith I bop to tend you original bill
of lad lap e overlap shipment of 374 barrels naphthaline shipped
to you from '..codv.ard, -la., on the £7th ultimo in ear it. 1.
S-Vi44038, the gross v.eirht being £7338 pounds and the net weight
48362 pounds.
For your information let r.o say that this liaphthaline
v.il. be billed to you not by us, but by Mitsui & Company, ltd.
You are probably &v.uro that they are interested with us in the
..oodward Plant, and thsj do the billing.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. JSdisoi
.r. -x . 11. Mac Lay,
13J .carl street,
View York City.
Lear sir :
Your favor of the >.7 th ultimo to our Silver Lake Plant
has been forwarded to thie offieo. Correspondence on thie sub¬
ject should bo addressed here to the Laboratory.
Y.o would say for your information that v.e make Iron
By-Hydrogen for use in oar own storage battery, and as v.e have
a little surplus capacity v.e offer some of it forsalo outside.
V.e had no idea, however, that there was any regular demand for
it from outside sources.
If you will advise us how much you would want to ob¬
tain each month for the remainder of tho present year, .Mr. Edison
will co. ;S ider an increase in his manufacturing capacity to take
care of a roasonaele quantity. Until further notico tho price
will be ae already quoted to you, but containers will bo chu.ped
for extra.
Yours very truly,
Edison Laboratory.
f Laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, (III / YX-
Orange, Hew Jersey. \\j^' V
Eeplying to yours of the 5th inst., v/e not
what you. say. Probably two to three thousand pounds
«monthly would answer all requirements.
Yours very truly.
'''$1 f
c££ ^-7
qAm (u* U|
• ^
1 lift cLcd ft ct att-trfe.
, .i fl
20 ««.£-• iV1* Mfj'*
*t - 7r* ; A . yneteke*, 20 t/* W* v\
lets (z tttciiL at dattex. /«■» '.xc-l ./Syttit 8) OyV^ (Y\\f'lU
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
52-54-56 Lafayctee Street
Newark, N.J.
January Gth, IS 16
Thomas A.Edison,
Orange, K.J.
Gentlemen:- Attention Hr. XH.Headowcrof t.
Agreeable to your telephone request, we beg to
state that our existing contracts with you on Carbolic Acid
are those dated, June 19th, 1915 for 4000 lbs. per day from
January 1st, 1916 to Hay 1st, 1916 at 6 SC per lb. and those
V
dated December 24th, 1915, one for 1000 lbs. per day for
February, March and April 1916 at 85jr per lb. and another
»/
for 1500 lbs. per day from April 1st, to December 31st, 1916
at 72. 6jf per lb. although on the latter one Hr. Hoffmann has
since increased this by 400 lbs. per day, making 1900 lbs.
in all, but you have not placed this form before us for sig¬
nature although we understand it is made and finding.
we trust this information is what you require.
Yours very truly,
^^^^M^^l^^ipply Go.
Secretnxj^'''''
CRB/B.
Very truly .youre,
DH:PD
JM)
^ /
s
7th. 1916.
Edison:
v.'onde/inp whethe^/rfe should
it bill Dominion iton & Steel Company with
Le extra cfuty that v.e have to pay c
.s under the contract they are to deliver the
ieoI into /the United jjjtates duty free . There
one eji^ption^'however , to this, contained
in Hr. Jl'umme^s letter of February 18th (copy
attach^ )/
You will see from the first paragraph
of this letter that you are to pay any addition¬
al duty over bcp. Inasmuch as the contract price
is Zi>4 and the duty bjt, I scarcely think that
we can call upon the Dominion people to pay the
duty on the advanced price of 69 l/Z<f, which we
pay duty on by our Govern-
have been compelled '
mentS
le
MEaDO'AChOFT.
r-.
i
Jen. 7 th. 191C
Ur. V.. . Mallory, President,
She Edison Portland Cement Co.,
Etev.artsvillo, ii. J.
Dear Ur. Mallory:
Your favor of the third
instant in regard to Mr. Opdyko was ro-
ceived, and we have arranged matters so
that hr. Opdyke can get through at the
Plant on the lbth instant.
I do not know when I have
parted with a business associate so re¬
luctantly as in this case. Ur. Opdyke
is a poach to work and ditto to work with.
Yours very truly.
PATTON PAINT COMPANY
SOLE MAKERS
PATTON'S SUN-PROOF PAINTS
NEWARK. NEW JERSEY.
SUBJECTS PRICE jJ)V AI7C33 #1 VT-ilTE PIHE-i
: 2iiouw3 edisoi: ire rJJ
Gentlemen : -
mt ’been supplying you c
i. bbls. cleli
ared.
You no doubt, ore thoroughly aware of the fact
that tae European War lues had a serious effect upon t..e
ray, materiel L rlret , and that many comoditieo entering
in to the manufacture oi saint have advanced in cost. -le
therefore, find our cost of producing material increased,
and in view of" the circumstances, it is necessary lor u3
to advance our selling price on this to 30 f! per gal. •"
carrels, which uric e is effective iuaediately.
very much that tnis is necessary, but we have given you v
benefit of our contract for just as long as it nos ceen
■oossible for us to do so, and we trust that you appreciate
our position in the matter.
Trusting that we may continue to have the pleas
of supplying this material to you, and assuring *M'-'
the price will be revised as soon
Yours vei-y truly,
CB/S
tcU-Ut
yuzZ'^'
.<L <JL
Jt
-f
January 10th. 1916.
In repurd to Ilapnthalino,
eurloud at ..oodv.ard .
are you far enouph alonp
any whether you will went to have r
or ehall I po ahead and iiell it to
pet a pood price*
.liADOnChOFi'.
y.e have pretty near a
.in your experiments to
•oeorved for disc record
i.lr . Hoffman, if v.e can
. nerai> Ch em ical Com paw v
Mr . W .H .Meadoweroft ,
Thomas A. Edison, Inc,
Orange,
Dear Sir: -
January 10 th, 1916...
(\so\
V/e hand you herewith contract covering your
Hydroouinone requirements over the latter part of this
year. If this contract is drawn in accordance with
your views, kindly sign hoth copies and return to this
office, whereupon we will affix our signature and send
you one copy for your file.
Yours very truly.
it'
* • K. hlcCCcr Ac/, ,;/*•* A
/WtffTt-t. McJ In ciclcLo/t'c n tuct/ccno
/O oo Cc-CCj c*- . decy £<■'• '£/<rra-/jZ. V“’
(fict-HctCy ; 7fc_ C d^u.Ci IfOCO
^Lt-ttt/cd cd J-e-C
/oT Cr-ufuccLc. C-CcU-An ILO-Kf . .
'S/ictCC 3 tuc/floY ct><- cc.CC
Ciuo-lcdicvui fH'7 ^i-i • <rt /ic uccj inec.D ed
3S
C-Vf/tL,
-A A-
c-( /fceiii &ci u-e 3aeo ^
/ 4£
u-t.CC
r~>
d-£
tjoco 4? / *v CD feu-/ /ir
\,Cd/ If- it/, l/ictet CDtt-i
^ ^ . C/WO hlCA.dC, CD cdctttc.tr .
<<-ty fljlio ttltl(ct- n .........
/oco <E
u7 r
r /
o/ih/lttlt) tPcitx (Jctl/cn
5 -«<L J 0
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
5 Vcc j\et\{ J 'fi.ctts-c i a-ified)
.3 jic^c^Ur-C . _4i. J<u/. . . j‘.rk ... .
(ZtjAejc. cv-lf£. _ .d/ie.^ . yde*3./L — Au.iuuLCiX-'iu-.
. &rfietdL£i. _ . - . -
JlnC:\XtO
ciA.^ . Ci£Q
_ Oh- /7^.</ _
txfr~dc _ tdda-V''- <*-4
.‘doe,... _ ..
f} bLctfr**: v~e?d~lfid'
__c?vrL y .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
' fef' M**«a0®*
Uiyu iM.tdV'i' A^f fVM=j. - -
*><«,*. ^ i?v ft
m. £ SJCS^F ®*xkt ’
Please read the letter,,of .Jiowetrsi-^ ([r^sf
;\W^
YVeightman-Kosengarten Company dated January Ecind,
flafc/N -— “
which refers to the\|letter I wrote to them 0"
per month, and in accordance »x»..
1 was trying to divide it up between th
Jmuarj 20th, v.hioh ta^M^nsrt P»P«
O-cxf-w -dance with Jou^ directions \|
tnesc people,
Binney & Cmith, and Lterck. V
You will see Power s-Y'.'e ightman-Eosengar ten
Company suggests that we give them the opportunity
of handling the total production, .-.a I under¬
stand it, you did not want to do. this, but I
thought you would like to see their letter as a
matter of interest.
Jan. 11th. 1916.
a. Hoenigsberger ,
Ik £o. iiarket ftrcet,
Chicago, Ill.
Gentlemen:
iveplying to jour favor of tiio sixth instant in regard
to the price of Paraphenyloned iamine, v.e beg to say that on account
of the rapid rise in the price of acetic, and its scarcity, we
cannot undertake to sell Parapiienylened iamine at less than v4.00
per pound, spot cash, be have a number of customers who have
boen paying us more than this.
For sometime past wo havo boen aware of the fact that
other concerns are offering Paraphonyloned iamine at as low as .;-2.50
per pottnd, but we have our doubts as to their ability to make
delivery, because of the scarcity and high price of acetic, which
these concerns probably supposed they could get when they quoted
such a low price.
2o far as the quantity you mention is concerned, we
could delivery two or three hundred pounds by the 1st of February,
lours very truly,
Edison Laboratory.
January 11th. 1916
Confirming our telephone conversation in report to
:.tr. idullsly's commies iona, let me state as follows. clr. l.'.uilaly
brought us three customers, namely, ctldrich Bleuchery, American
Printing Company, and a. Hollander & Sons. Ho is entitled to com
missions as follows:
1. i.aldrieh B.oaehery. He is entitled to
c ommission 021 the entire contract as v.e
make shipments.
S. American Printinp Company. Ur. Hullaly
is entitled to commission on all aniline
Oil shipped under the old contract, he
did not complete the old coiitract this year,
so he is entitled to the ealance v.hich wo
car; ied over '.o snip this year. He is not
entitled, however, to tiny commission what¬
ever upon tne new contract of £,000 pounds
a week* '.0 he shipped, during the present yoar.
5. a. Hollander & Sons. iir. lAullaly is en¬
titled to commission on whatever ..nil i lie
E< you shipped to Hollander up to December
klst, but is not entitled to commission on
aniline Aniline Bait shipped to Hollander
this year.
ile is also entitled to commission on the
first fcOO pounds of Paraphonylenediamino
shippoa to Hollander, hut is not entitled
to any commission on any other Paraphony-
lonediamine beyond tiio first fcOO pounds.
, />'"v
• \ r
■ ' '
January 11th. 1916.
i,Ir . Kammcrhof f :
I enclose herewith copy of a lotter from Lieut.
Kimberly, the Laval Inspector of Powder , East Coast.
You will notice that ho has received instructions
that inspection and test of Carbolic Acid manufactured by us for
the Lavy Department shall be made and carried out at put plant
at Silver ^ake .
^ V aB I did not understand whether or not this re¬
ferred to thiNpresent natch that we have for shipment, I called
up Lieut .'i^imberly on the telephone, and aftor I was through
talking with\im dictated u memorandum so that I would not have
to depend upon my memory. For your information I am enclosing
copy of memorandum herewith. You may keep all these papers.
I want to call your special attention to paragraph
2 of Lieut. Kimberly’s letter, which concerns the arrangements
that you and he made together. Y.iU you kindly give your atten¬
tion to this.
\V . H. MEADOY.CLOFS.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
January 11th. 1916.
In reference to the attached letter of January 8th from
Lieut. Kimberly in regard to inspection of Carbolic Acid on
contract #£3233, I called up Lieut. Kimberly this noon on the
telephone and asked him whether tne instructions referred to
in said letter of January 8th would apply to the batch of Car¬
bolic which he saw at Silver Lake a few days ago, and of which
samples were sent by his directions to Indian Head for Labora¬
tory Test. Lieut. Kimberly said that these new instructions
in the letter of January 8th would,, apply to that batch, but
would apply to future shipments, and as to these future ship¬
ments, he would make the inspection tests in our Laboratory at
Silver Lake, instead of sending samples to Indian Head.
I asked Lieut. Kimberly whether the present delay in mak¬
ing shipment would cause us to be penalized by the Government.
He said it would not, as the Government reckons the time from
the date that samples are taken for inspection. For instance,
if certain goods under contract were offered for inspection a
day before the expiration of the contract, and samples were
taken on that day and send, for instance, to Indian Head for
test, the date of shipment would be held by the Government to
be on that day, even if the results of the test at Indian Head
should not be certified for two or three weeks thereafter.
W. H. MEADOV.CKOFT .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
OFFICE OF NAVAL INSPECTOR OF POWDER. EAST COAST.
Post Office Building,
Jersey City ,N. J. ,
JAN “8 1516
Subjeot: Oont. #23233, carbolic acid, inspection of.
Reference: (a) Your letter to Chief of Bureau of Ordnance, dated
Dec. 17, 1915.
Sir:-
1. 1'he Inspector of Powder for the East Coast today re¬
ceived instructions that the inspection and test of the carbolic acid
being manufactured by your Company, for the Navy Department, should
be made and carried out at your Works at Silver Lake, N.J., as per
paragraph 4, Reference (a).
2. On my last inspection I made complete and detailed
arrangements with your Mr* Kanmerhoff for obtaining samples which
were to be sent to Indian Head for test and analysis. Most of those
arrangements are of course now useless, and I request that you in¬
form Mr. Kummerhoff of this change, and saying, if agreeable to you,
that I suggest that of all the arrangements we made together, he
oontinue merely that of keeping a record of the batch or charge num¬
bers and the drums in which they are packed for shipment, as this
will facilitate my selecting samples for test $nd analysis.
3. It is needless to say that inspections will be fa¬
cilitated if I am informed several days in advanoe of the time when
the material will be ready for inspection.
Respectfully,
Lieut. Comdr. U.S.Havy,
Haval Inspector of Powder, E.C.
M.R. Hutchison, E.C. , Ph. ,D.
Chief Engineer to and
Personal Representative of
Mr. Thomas A. Edison.
Attention of Mr. Meadowcrof t .
Orange, II. J.
Gentlemen: -
We have yonrs of the 10th inst. in regard to
Cohalt Nickel Speiaa and note what you say. We trust
you may he able to U3e the material in some manner.
, iron BY- HYDROGEN: We notice something in
suu.3 paper regarding fire at Silver lake. Please advise
if this will restrict the output of the Iron By-Hydrogen
we will, know how to act on this, and greatly oblige,
Yours very truly,
BINHEY & SMITH CO.
.^JLs Jr ■icrc-^
tH-
£c
Woodward Iron Company
Woodward, ^yliAtoama.
$ January 12 , ISlk. A . 4
*■ “■ ~ sa‘'“’ „*•«&» k«^ ,/&*«<<--**; •***’
— • - *• oLt,.- rt ft
Dear air ^ W^t <L</vJ *4 ^ '
1 teTO TOlteMe sagUTiSS **•
recovoring at its plant at vairnol^ o^ol^
month of December those pe^^^arbSnisea 4,700 tons of coal per
** - •M'«a •“ 30 fi zuivi,^
month, Shey are averaging 0((uTW^H^
running 50;-'. X got tills info jmat ion *f ran a confidential svaraej
and w ill ash yon not to » ^“X’ ttU&fi* ^
It has occurred ti ^^igp^reco^ « Jr u.
«.iu.i ». *. — 1 - tfcsa “K«-f
As you are aware, wo -re getting onlaj&out^. It **» t^me^ /*>/
As yon are aware, wo ,-re =ot^«flJfc fa ^ ^
that the amount of mono y iirrolvod would justify ^ving soine oom"
itv* o-unt'iva— „
mediately with a view *"’
V/ith kindest rogards, 1 am,
> if
s truly,/
"OOTaJPTSM* 3 OllVlTY ,
?<^/u>'/naiJ ^ (gdiAcr/y, 7'^
Jan. 13th. 1916.
Mitsui & Company, ltd.,
25 Madison Avenue,
Hew York City.
Attention of Mr. Shunzo gakaki.
Gentlemen :
Referring to your favor of the 31st ultimo asking
for certain figures and facts in regard to manufacturing
Phenol, I enclose herewith a memorandum written hy Mr. Kammer-
hoff which answers all' the questions. As you will see, Mr.
Edison himself answered some of them.
■,Ve have all been so busy here today that there is
no time to make a copy of it, so will you please have a copy
made and return this original to me.
Mr. Edison wisheB. you to regard all this information
as very confidential.
Yuurs ,-very truly.
Enclosure.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Tills question is not qul*o clear to u
ment of December 24th , '1915 , where we
2, Sulphuric Acid, that ono pound of
2.5 pounds of 98^ Sulphuric Acid, or
This means that the Sulphonating process can be carried out
with a somewhat smaller amount of Fuming Acid than with the
normal 98/1 Sulphuric Acid. The Sulphonating process, however,
once finished, we have to deal in both oases with Benzol
Sulphonio Acid - C6 H5 S03 H - the following operations being the
same, no matter whether we got Benzol Sulphonio Aold by mixing
Benzol with Fuming Acid or with 98,1 Sulphuric Acid, the yield of
Pure Phenol will bo the same. /
Question 3. V/e understand from Hr. Kamraerhoff • 8 statement that you U3S G6°
Beaume Sulphuric Acid diluted to 1380 specific gravity for
neutralization. In Japan wo can buy Chamber Acid namely: 50°
Beaurao Sulphuric Acid very cheap. Do you think we can U30
50° Beaurao Sulphuric Acid instead of 66° Sulphuric Acid, diluted
to 1300 specific gravity?
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Answer .
Question 4.
Answer
From Hr. Kdi3on: "You can uao Chamber Acid just a3 wall —
the reason v/e don't, is beoauee v/e can't get it".
In your plant which makes 7000 pounds of Phenol what quantity
of tho following items do you use?
(a) Quantity of Coal.
V/e consume about six pounds of coal per one pound of Phenol.
Question (b) Quantity of Steam.
Answer V/o figure that ono pound of coal burned in our boilers creates
eight pounds of 3toam, which would mean that v/o use 48 pounds
of 3toam per one pound of w. Phenol produced.
Question (c) Humber of Working Hen and Laborers.
Answer Aside of a few foremen we employ simple laborers, the more
intelligent ones of whom wo teach to perform the different
operations, the rest of the laborers acting as helpers.
For an output of 7000 pounds of ?. Phenol in 24 hours wo have
a foroo of 5G men at day time and 55 men at night time. T!ii3
includes throe men at day and three mon at night for the
boiler plant, which is supplying steam for plants other than
our Carbolic Acid plant too; it also includes ono man at day
timo and one man at night time for our power house, where we
have a motor generator set and air compressors naming.
question (d) Quantity of current.
Answer V/o consume about 0.4 JI. V.’. Hours per ono pound of P. phenol.
Question (o) Quantity of water.
Answer V/e consume about 5.5 cubic feet of water per ono pound of
Question (f) /mount of repairing expenses.
Answer V/e figure a3 an average 1.75{f for repairs -per one pound of
P. Phono 1.
Question (g) Gonoral overhead charges.
Answer Bio expenses are about 5. Iff per ono pound of P. Phenol, these
costs comprising rent, depreciation, interost, freight, supplies
(miscellaneous articles) payroll for handling of freight, insur¬
ance, and trucking. I
Ll *4' f
« +■*** ~~
Jan.
1910.
. 1. Yu i-oi.t do honours 1 Con.-any, t cor]
pj.1 niece o': bus i note ut ..ilmingtoii, i.oiuv.urc
O at t:.e nr lco Olid ar.011 the teriac x-oroia prov
... -idle: on of beet ..X taco, . cv. dorse,
arroec to cell to the said ... 1.
tire roduction of loluol from said idu
ov.ii, . emu ylvaniu (v.i
! fro i ay Ut, 1910 t.
1. Du. font de homo ire
‘tori'. Bcni.ol ;
io tod bclot. . , c
11 .. .til, 191V, iiR liK ive ,
root toi
colour
.o oe of MLin, knov.n sl r. • ~olaol,
il ■> tii the iollov.inr t ; ocif ieations :
to* 1)0 a clear v.ctor-v.hito liquid, free i
roiulcd colid nltor. specific Gravity:
Gravity it to be not icv.c.lntin .do a.v.
'.37J ut lt.D degrees Contirraoo. ” '
correspond uf in o^irautol# uo 11-> d(
corrected, sulphur ic ..cid -ost_:
shaken v. i tii ten C. s. of 90/j tuipnuric .
minutes sheuia inrurt oiu;; u tl:
bcifi layer. i. is tiilut ion tost: fj'' ^ * <- • t
iii a f rue tionotinp fluisk for £.••■ c. C. enpue
thermometer diviood in tent..: o: u dcgico
It co udiuctod that the top of tho bulb it c
. itii the tide tube, ueat it up piled over u .
i.rou of the centre of tho bottom and tno c.i
tion conducted in such a way that tnc ult 11.
out tec ver as nuickly at possible in eir.tu
but nvt in continuant; stream; tho tempore'
road v.hon i, U. C. and again . hon 9fc d. r; «
lectod in tho rceoivixxg cyrinder. -c i’Uj
between the tv.o road i nn ‘.u. t not bo r reato.
ci. 8 degrees Contigrado.
fo co the entire output or .. I
iid icon’s 3ontol riant at Jenna' 1
cent a ouantity ooual to twenty <201 gu.lont ta;
vhich said Edison has heretofore agreed to cu^ly
iiitsui . Coorany, limited, daring tno gorioc from
iiay it* t, 191C to December nlet, 1910.
ior t.:o purpose of ect imaging
of c . 2 . foluol ordored and t
coii tract, said hdiaon hereby
production of i
averaged about
■ r o*l mu to quantity
....lict under this
tout hie cverupo
'ioluol for several months past nus
.imdrcd forty (Ida ) gallon: j or esy.
. uoroforo, the *.ot jiiuCilta orooioi- ‘ c l0. ^ * ,ce
undor this contract (after ; co^V.
.f :,0 t”ou^ ( 1&
“0<I ' ’ 0r‘ cuv ; »io or • oso . from liny e t to Joco:
••in^T 9i c ■ ■.Ci oil c- hundred forty ( 1 1 fT,‘--‘l?li~ i <-r
noio’oi lose, from January mt. 1017 to --f-r.x .n .
o be li-reo dollars and seventy-five «?nte <>&.«» )J
I:e;
frolrht oro-.bia, vithin ur-y (6J) a — 110:3 ^
jririm-l civ‘r,::iont.
’ o be delivered ad aeeorted in carload lot- -i- -o^
7° ctie- bio after nroductlun. eomoneinr -ay 1st
191gMS cud in- -nrii o.tu, 1017. anlecn otnerarno
-nirty (o.i days, «r Iobe ai^in^en (l-.i dtys^on
CinlSnl:oo“t.^PS'oi“i^ Loq£v::?ent in Jnitod ttotoi
U in mutually ^afreed of failure011
SwfS product or any P»J t^roof
^raLld;nt!Uor1nr^ablo’cauoe;-or due to in¬
ability -o obtain material*
January 14th. 1916.
Mr. Edison:
She American Oil & Supply Co., have a contract with us
for Carbolic acid, 1500 pounds a day, from april 1st to December
51st, at 72.6 oents per pound. Mr. Hoffman asked a few days ago
if we would add 400 pounds a day to this contract, making 1900
pounds a day in all from april 1st to December 51st at 72.6 cents,
I told him I would speak to you about it, and X thought that you
would consent to do it.
I think it is quite safe to make this addition. Shall
I cover by contract?
MEADOWCKOFT.
Total-
85632 • 16234
WOODWABB.
Shipments to Jan. lBt,
1916.
Pure Benzol. Eure Toluol.
' 129,907
16,326
On hand Jan. lBt. 1916
14,039
1,600
Estimated from stock.
22,000
_^ZQQ
Total 166,146
22,126
Purified Solvent Naphtha.
5,771
3,000
2.000
10,771
talcing ao normal daily pi
month thirty days.
Benzol
Sulphuric i-.cid, 90;o
Limestone
Soda Ash
Caustic Soda
Mr. Thas . A. Edison,
$ Edison Labors tori e
WeBt Orange, N.J.
Representative ,
JtC.
JLZIm. w f u"?
days ago^our special Lime -/j
bad the pleasure of In
terviewing you in connection with your prospective Lime
requirements and requested us to forward you a five pound , „{ji
sample so that our material might he investigated and test-*'4''
ed with a view to ascertaining whether or not it would he
sui table for your purpose.
We are pleased to inform you yf
that under date of the 11th inst. an average sample of our /
light burned lime from stock was forwarded to you by pie-
paid express and we would greatly appreciate your being {
on the lookout for its arrival and giving same investigation t
at your earliest convenience. Y/ould also be pleased to f
have the benefit of any information you care to give us v
as to results obtained by you in this investigation and
test.
We are in position to serve you
with as much of this mater lal for shipmsnt in bulk, carloads
as you may require throughout the year and will be glad in¬
deed to submit you a proposition on about 90 or 100 tons
per month, which is the amount our representative stated
would probably be needed by you.
L
Thanking you in advanoe for your
Jan. lfcth.
1916.
Ur. J. ii. Plummer, President,
Dominion Iron & liteel Company,
Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Dear iir. Plummer:
Your favor of tho 4th instant in regard to Toluol
v.as received in due course of .nail, but 1 v.ts unable to answer it
by sending you a quotation of price as we iiac .one negotiations
on hand. Itvas uncertain as to whether these would go through or
not, so I have waited until tne time had come to decide the matter
one v;a. or another. The parties with whom I havo boon negotiat¬
ing have availed themselves of the option and have taken all the
■Toluol I can supply for a year from iiuy on.
I am much gratified to note that your Comrany is
doing very much better in regard to the shipments of Benzol, and
I want to thank you for your kind attention in the matter. There
arc one or two empty care on tho way back to Sydney, and 1 hope
they will got there on time. \.o havo been a little crippled bn
account of the one car that was lied up at houses Point since last
august, but that is on tho way hero now, and is expected here very
soon. i,e have storage tanks and will empty it and send it back
to Sydney within twenty-four hours after its arrival.
after the serious trouble we had with tho 'J. £. Cus¬
toms .-.uihoritics , I am goi ng to take the liberty of usking that you
will issuo instructions to your people to be very carefuliabout the
invoicing so that an endorsement is made on tho consular invoice
of the market value in Canada. I think perhaps it will be well to
send you copy of a letter I uuvo received today from our Custom
House 3rokors at houses Point. You will find it attached hereto.
Strauss k Hedges, the iiow York lawyers who fought
through the United States Government's reappraisement here for me,
and won tho case, wrote to me stating they had learned that your
Company sold Benzol in Canada to a company engaged in the manu¬
facture of explosives at a contract price of 60;/ per gallon to
hold good during the continuation of the -..or. If this is so, this
of course establishesa market value in Canada unless you should
sell Benzol at a higher price to someone else in Canada.
By t..o way, if you are. not doing anything with your
naphthaline, I shall be glad to have a talk with you about it the
i1. .. . MYJiKS & COMPi.UY.
houses Point, Jan. 11th. 1916.
Mr. Ihomus iidicon.
Orange , M . J .
V.o uro in rocoint of ymr favor of the 10th inet.
anc have alto received a cony of yu.;r letter to .Messrs.
Strauss £ hedges under date of Jan. 7th, and their reply
under date of Jan. 10th with respect to future shipments
of Benzol, and the price per pal ion at which it should be
invoicod .
Our Mr. J. k. Myers called at the office of the
Dominion Iron l. Steel Co. at Montreal yesterday, but un¬
fortunately Mr. Meilauphton, the General Sales ^gent, was at
Ottawa, hut Mi . McCourt stated that from the best of his
information, the company had not sold Benzol for consump¬
tion in Canada, and he nas promised to taho the matter
up with Mr. iiuilaughton upon his return, and to advise me
definitely on this subject.
if there i.ad been no sales of Benzol in Canada,
no market value nas boon osta .lished, therefore in arriving
at a nrice at which v.e should invoice the Benzol, we should
take the selling price in Mew York, after making proper deduc¬
tions in order to pet the mill net price at Sydney*
i suggested to Mr . McCourt that when invoicing
future shipments to you, that they be particular to endorse
on the invoice the market value in Canada, if such exists,
if not, the r.rice at which they are selling Benzol in the
united States so that we may be in a position to determine
the nroper invoice price.
1 wish you would write to tho roninion Iron &
stool Co. at sydnoy and impress upon them the importance of
invoicing your shipments as above outlir.od, so that v.e may
have full information as to market conditions and know at
what price we should enter the Benzol, :.nd thus avoid possible
chance of an advanco in value by the Local .ippraisor.
Yours vory truly,
(signed) John ... Myers.
.du Pont de Nemours X Company
Wilminoton.Delaware
R CHASIN ©"DEPARTMENT
, ... J,
lit'-' , f. t<fl‘ I yll.l r/'i
" ')vn‘- . A Jtr*** ■) ;
^ ^ ' JL^
|fu> January 15th, lBl£r \ ff. \
^.X.V-y
Pear Sir:
&>IA
t V* v
I have just been notified by our Mr. T , ^ Ca$ .d-,
renter, Jr., acting as agent for the T. I. du Pont^Wvrs^- ^
Co., that he has entered into oontraot with you f<^t^ ou|p$^'
of your Toluol plant at Johnstown, Penna., for the period fromk
{fay 1st, 1516 to December 31st, 1916, at a minimum rate of 30
drums per month of IOC gal. each capacity, it being furtl
understood that- should your output exceed this quantity
will be delivered to us at the same price and terms as the
“ ww rf Yy
tearv /
Ity tW U 0 ^ f
will be delivered to us at une same “““ ’V J \^y ,
imum quantity, le86 a quantity of 20 gal. per day, which 1^ de^- J
„ to reserve for the filling cf ether contract Ay J Y
imum quantity, = §
stand you wish to reserve for the filling cf ether contracts^ ^
The quality of this material is to be C.P. Toluol and the plicy'
f.3.75 per gal. to.*. Johnstown, Penna., shipment to be
drums furnished by the seller and to be charged for extract* \
full credit allowed upon their return within a reasonable time
/Vf
J
If the foregoing is in accordance with your under
fr~.
standing of the transaction, a statement from you to that eff *9\^
will be sufficient to constitute a contract. \
I would further request that if you have any addi¬
tional supplies of Toluol, Benzol or Solvent Haphtha that you draw
•the Bame to our attention. /?
voure very
F<irohasing / gent.
n
JPIT/EE
Jan. 17th.
1916.
;,lr. ..oodward, Chairman,
i. oodward Iron Company,
Woodward, ..la .
Dear iir. n oodward :
1 have received your favor of the i£th instant
in regard to the percentage of "oluol recovered by the 'fe^nessse
Company at its riant at Fairfield. Lot me say in reply that
the quantity of foluol recovered depends largely upon the kind
of coal carbonised, .vt our plant at the Cambria Steel V.orks,
Johnstov.n, Pa. we obtain 16% of i’oluol with the same kind of
apparatus that we use at ..oodward. It is easier there to get
the 1’oluol than to get Benzol.
i’he whole trouble at .-.oodward is that the per¬
centage of i'oluol does not seem to be in the gas, end that may
be due to oither the coal or to the ovens.
V.ith kind regards, I remain.
Yours very truly.
ANILINE DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Silver Lake, N. J. Jan . 17, 1916.
The Edison Chemical Works have, of late, been calling on us
weekly, unde:- what they term a "blanket order", for various amounts
of caustic soda, and we delivered to them on Dec. 51st, 10 drums,
Jan. 5th, 10 drums, Jan. 13th, 15 drums, and Jan. 17th, 10 drums.
I was e.dvised by 1'r, Filler that he contemplated leaking a contract
for the delivery of a car load of caustic soda per month, and in¬
quired to know if we could supply them. This, I told him, would
be impossible, and informed Mr. Miller that he should take the sub¬
ject up with you, and X presume he has done so.
I wish you would . instruct me as early as possible Y/h ether I
shall continue to deliver weekly amounts of caustic soda to the
Chemical 7/orks as has been done heretofore, and what Mr. Filler's
requirements are likely to be.
/ Yours very truly,
, ' -//.of 7
ft . . r
<1
71 *• **
WESTEJgM UNION
nightIIetter
1 1:, IM .
WINONA MINN JAN 17 1916
EDISON LABORATORY ,
ORANGE Nd 1
LETTER RECD WILL ACCEPT CONTRACT FOR H S P
.'yivvfc 0-.O-M Hi U)U
iwd -C &*+****? ?L
kfSVsSrAL'/c^B!
\«CE OF'THIS Yl
J-utr^dT <4 Or to' "WoT L.
THREE HUNDRED POUNDS EACH MONTH FOR THE BALANCE OF'THIS YEAR
BEGINNING WITH APRIL FIRST AT EIGHTY/fIVE CENTS PER POUND ,
J R WATKINS MED CO, ,
/ ■>"
742PM n V / -jo* ^ ^
' . ^ " H
- Vrs-
*>
t
E. I. Du Pont de hemours & Co.,
iiilmington, Dol.
attention of bir. J. H. Piles, Purchaglnp --.gent .
Y.ur file "it" .
Door bir:
V.e have received your favor of the 11 th instant in
regard to the toluol from our Plant at Johns tov.n. Pa., as to
which Er . Edison entered into contract with you through your
..:r . ... £-. Carpenter . Jr . a few days ago .
>.e '..ore just on the jioint 0f sending down lo you a
contrct which we had prepared to cover this transaction, this
contract was prepared on i!r. Edison's understanding that the
jjeriod to ho covered was one year from iiay let, 19l6. If this
is incorrect, according to i.:r. tarpenter's understanding, we are
entirely wi.linr, of course, to change the dato of expiration
of the contract.
V. a will enclose the form of contract herewith for your
perusal. If the period covered by this contract is satisfactory.
\° you, you can sign the contract and return it, and we will have
..r. Edison sign one copy c..r: then it will be returned to you.
..ho.ld you desire to limit the 'cried of the contract from .lay
1st, 1916 to December 1st, 191c, please let iu know and return
the two copies of tne contract tc us :n0 vc .ill make the nec¬
essary change, have ..Jr . Edison .irs it and send it down to you
for signature uy your company.
Yours very truly,
assistant to IJr. Edison.
Enclosures
> 7 (P^
_ .'M//yMmM^^/Jf/-,;^AU,f^ January 18, 1916.
\3
Edison Storage Battery Company,
Orange, Hew Jersey.
Gentlemen:
Attention of Mr. Meadowcrof_t._
As we did not receive this morning the invoioe
covering shipment of five or ten drums of Hitro Benzol, we
are uncertain whether you have entered us for the larger
amount. We write no* that you may be able to take the
matter under consideration and we will telephone you to¬
morrow morning about ten o’. clock for your reply.
We would also be glad to have you consider entering
us for any quantity up to 50,000 pounds, and if you can book
the order at what rate deliveries can be made.
Yours truly, s' ~y
SSEfflNCE-COHPAHY,
Jan. 19th. 1916.
The J. ... ..atkin§ Mod leal Co.,
.. inona , Uinnesota .
Gentlemen:
lour telegram statinp you accept contract i'or Crystal
Carbolic ..eifi -o the extent of three honored (300, pound a per
month from ..pril lot to Eoccmbor -1st, 1916 sac received, i.o
have prepared . contract in accordance tkerev. itli. and enclose
the same in duplicate, sie-nod by ill' . Edison.
i.o v.oulc. call year special attention to the fact that
..hr . Edison does not wish to rive an absolute ruarentee that the
Carbolic ..cid v.ill comply strictly v.ith all the q. ' . P. require¬
ments* ho believes, hovevor, that the quality i. fully coual to
the J . r. P. i.e are supplyinp it ropularly to the hoyden Chem-
ioal i.orke, E. K. Souibbc & Pons, Uonssnto Chemical corks and
others, and they are ..11 rlad to pot it.
i.o are forv.arcinp: oy this mail, under eosarnto cover,
a. s amnio of the material such as v.o are su; plyinp. You can de¬
fer eif-niup the contract until you reooivo this sample and see
v bother or not it v.ill answer your- requirements.
Yours vary truly,
. Edison laboratory.
Enclosure .
A. I). MACKAY
E RiSqjjibb & Sons , New York
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
Executive Office
Newark
January 19, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison, s Q \
Thomas A. Edison Company, \b j
Orange, Hew Jersey. Lv '• /
Dear Mr. Edison:
We should like to take up the manufacture of
Aniline Oil as a starting point for Aniline Dyes.
Would you he willing to give us your process
of manufacture and if so on what terms?
We are of course also interested in Benzol,
so if we could procure this product also through you it
would he most satisfactory to us.
Awaiting your good news, we remain,
Very truly yours ,
Vice President,
TW-ECH
January 21st. 1916.
Mr. Miller:
Vio have a contract with Mendel Samuel
& Cone for 1200 tons of Cast Iron Borings for
the -.nil 1 no Plant, to oe delivered 100 tons per
month, January to December 1916. These people
have offered several deliveries but v.c refused
them because they wore not in accordance with
sample upon which we made the contract, tie have
been having quite a fuss wii.h them, and Mr. Edison
thought that the matter would become involved in
a lawsuit, but Mr. Samuel has been in today and
we have thrashed the mutter out. Mr. Edison has
agreed to cancel the contract, and .ondel Samuel
a Sons have agreed to pay *5720 . to get a release
from the contract. Here is a chock for the first
payment of *600. and they promise to send. the
remainder of it in the near future.
MEABJV. ceoft •
ESTABLISHED 1882
LUNHAM & MOORE
EXPORT FREIGHT B
FAST FREIGHT FOR EXPORT SHIPMENTS
jtfnCEst. , '
The Thos. A. Sdison Co. ,
Orange ,
Hew Jersey.
Gentlemen :
Y/e are in receipt of your favor of the 20tS”
advising us that we will receive a shipment of Paraphenylei
ediamine to he forwarded to the Lazard-Godchau:
London.
Y/ill you please advisf
. Ltd. ,
’.t the character of
this material is’ Is it in any way conhustihle or inflasuns
1 gUj-M' et*c<* p
ble? If so, at what degree (shXe- close test)^ inflame. .
Our reason for making this inquiry is that the
Steamship Company will not accept anything of a dangerous
nature for transportation hy their steamers.
T~ *
l_r
n,
' ^ Youfs v^Aruly , <—**f*S,
v, W ([m* JLlA'®1 LUHHAM & UOORE
^ m T*
. . ^ '
u
►
H
• • lyl6
.hr. laced ore V.aicker, Vice President,
K. i-,. Squibb & Sons,
70 i'oek&an Street,
Hew York City.
Hear Mr . Weicker:
I am in receipt of your favor of
the 19th instant in regard to your taking up
the manufacture of aniline oil as a starting point
for .iniliae lyes.
X should ue tilling to sell you a
set of drawings for a plant for manufacturing
inilino ac wo do it, but where are you going to
get the acids and the .';on;.olY If you have not
providod for those supplies , X am afraid you
will he vo a hard time of it.
Yours very truly.
Boston, Mass.
Jan. 22, 1916.
Orange, New Jersey,
Gentlemen:
c%p ^
u 4i^ci<f UU ^ w
We acknowledge receipt of your letter of
the 19th Inst, regarding expenditures on Oarholio y /
stm . (i' 1
We would appreciate receiving your report
of conditions which necessitated these changes and
which would give us more detailed information of ^ 1
what these changes consisted of. This information
would he of considerable assistance to us in arriving
at our conclusions regarding these charges.
Trusting you can conveniently favor i
this data, we remain
‘2-
Yours very truly,
E. B. BADGER & SONS COMPANY.
CHC-C
lunham h iloore,
Produco Exchange,
Her York City.
Gentlemen :
Keplying to your fevor of the Hist
instant in regard to the shipment of Parapheny-
lenodiaminc to bo forraidcd to the iasard-God-
chaux Co., Ltd. London, re bog :o udvise that
this material is not explosive, and (is no more
inflammable than oak rood. It is not regarded in
any ray as a dangerous material for transportation.
Yours very truly.
Edison Laboratory.
WESTER^ UNION
TELbRr AM
r„— — _ "
S wJS hir't1 a«r«d w Urm“ , January 24th. 1916.
G*
Jhhn Bacon, Jr.,
$ Edison Benzol Plant,
Johnstown, Pa.
Replying your letter to Mason, Mr. Edison Bays he offers
Cambria Company same price as before, namely sixty-four
cents gallon for 10,000 gallons C. P. Benzol.
W. H. MEADOViCROPT.
(d\
t si
Thomas A. Edison, Ino., 'c
DrerurA TT« » f -L/
January
■>-r. twenty-fourth
i 19 16
A. Edison, Ino., '>->
or“e-
Gentlemen:- ^ JUj
. *s*a: sr^riiS?/^ « "•>
assooiated in support of t^Hill Bill fi^^the inactivities iff-U
to encourage the^„?8?ni reoently^ssued report of Dr. Norton of the^.^v
somewhat embarrassed hy » ™“*Jn“tates that there are now being ,
Department of Commerce. Jur. of ooal_tar dyestuffs out of j
manufactured in this country * B This rep0rt has been given /
StK* assS ^s^B-s^f^srsai.-s sss^sms^
exaggerated and misleading, . ® which x am connected in
u- gSa33S5£g4-
Sgi^&,£,ss *wp''5“j^Sre?2Lr
manufacturing together with wflie|urniBh will be held absolutely confi-
!SiS.,2,to22S2*’S%S*^“ 01 01‘""
of dyestuffs will be presented.
interests to^Itf^
reply, I am.
Very sincerely,
(\ '~Yv\ . ~Wl
JMM-.KGT
Standard Essence Company, a corporation having ito
nlfcco of business at Maywood , li. J., hereby purehacos, and ngroos
to receive from Chomac Edison, and tho said fhomae «.. Edison
hereby bcIIs .o eaid Standard Essence Company, ilitrobcnzol re¬
quired by said standard Essence Co.ipany during the period from
Feoruary let to June 30th, ,1916, inclusive, and as follovrs ;
U,
.,eiey.
..iilllY.
DEIIVEEIES.
.o be of good standurd quality.
So be fifty thousand (50,000) poundE during
tho five (Sj months beg inning February let
and ending June Soth. 1916.
’Jo be thirty (So) cents por pound, . . 0. 3.
Silver lake, h. J.; drums extra at ^10.00
oach, to be credited if returned in good
condition, freight prepaid, within sixty
(60) days from da to of original shipment.
Io bo raado and taken in oqual moat hi;, chip-
monte, commencing February, 1916 and ending
Jim.. . 1916.
'flirty (SO J days , or lose 1$, within ton days
from date of oach shipment, riynble in iiow
York City funds, in United States gold or
its equivalent in United Ota ton currency.
In the ovent of war, fire, flood, strike,
lockout, accident, or other like causes be¬
yond tiio control of said liaison, interfering with
the production, . transportation or consumption
,,f the goods herein described, aclivoriec
unc.er this contract may bo cuspendod during
tho period required to remove tho cause and
repair tho damage.
(signed) Thos . A. Edison.
accepted.
Standard Essence Company,
(signed) Edwin V. . Preston.
Ereasurer & Secretary.
Jan. y.o
a . .3 . Budgers 1 Sons Oo . ,
71 ritls Street,
Boston, Iiass.
Gentlemen:
1 am in receipt of your favor of
the £2nu instant regarding our expenditures
on the two Carbolic Stills at Silver lake .
I am very busy indeed, and it would take quite
sometime for me to draft out a report of the
conditions which necessited the changes. _.s
you have an Engineer who travels about the
country, 1 think it would be better to have
him come over to our Plant and check up these
statements that we have submitted.
V.ill you kindly havo him report to
me, or to .'.ir . i.teadowcroft when he comes.
Yours very truly.
”.r . James L. Clark,
f. Munition .Manufacturers' Associates,
1019 Fla i iron Building,
Lev; York City.
Bear Sir:
fieplying to your favor of the 22nd in¬
stant, v;e regret to say that wo cannot make you
any offers on Phenol, as v.s aro contracted up for
the present year.
ii8 are in the market for some Benzol for
regular delivery over the remainder of this year,
for which wo could pay per gallon, F.O.B.,-
Silver Lake, .11. J. She Benzol, however, must be
C. j?., boiling within 1°. What can you offer on
this basis?
Yours very truly.
Fdison Laboratory.
Executive Office
ERiSqijibb &. Sons . New York
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
January 26, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange,
New Jersey .
My dear Mr. Edison:
tv t. Uwt. <yM ^
AmJL
v~f~ M <fAnr\
ftviu ClSrt & O-f^cL U
jJLr MX H ■?
your fnvor/bf the '22nd insta_nih,and thank}
’ of the s
you for the tenor
You have put your finger on the sore spo^ when y ~^f if
you ask us whether we have provided for Acids and Benzol. / (.
It has occurred to us that you, having hooked your materials v "T
at a low cost, might he willing to supply us with Aniline |
Oil at a price wuich would make it unattractive to provide l
for a manufacturing plant.
Hay we therefore ask you whether you would hook
for us a contract over 1916, calling for 40,000 to 60,000
pounds of Aniline Oil per month.
very glad to hear from you.
1 position to do 1
Awaiting your good news, .1 remain,
TYT-ECL'
. /'//f/r/r'y. ': (
' *£'*-% . V
'/,:,/A'V,/,/>.n,
y^//f f;,
January f:6th , 191C.
E. A. Edison, Esij. ,
. Orange, 11
Sear Sir:-
\
v*6'”' «~J
,L^ January to Ur. J. E. Plummer
^ . . .
cvo^-
AAfrr «. I olAo
(gUtAW.| |Ae- kts*^ ^
Referring to your leltter of the lath
■ticulnrly to the
|t paragraph dealing with the question of naphthalene.
) X -.vould like to say in reply to your enouiry
tC{)y mat vie ore producing this material in the form of
t)ry Crude naphthalene, heing dried in a centrifugal
F drier.
At the present time we have roughly 100 tons
of this product on hand packed in hags and if you axe
interested vie would he very pleased to hear from you
as to v/hat figure you could offer us for the some.
Yours faithfully,
Ur- George Hopp, ... „
fo Bronx V, indov Shade and Awning Go.,
372 "act 162nd Street,
IJev; York City.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the ££nd instant has
been roferred to Ur. Edison, and ha requests
us to say that v.o have wool: Sodium I'henolate,
10 to lb£ solution, containing free soda and
Sodium Sulphite and Sulphate, he requests us
to ask v.hether this v.ould suit your purpose ,
and what quantity you would probably desiro to
obtain.
Yours very truly.
Edison laboratory.
Jen.
5:7th. 3 916.
Dr. J. .Jerri tt "atthews,
50 East 41st Street,
Dew York City.
Dear Sir:
Soy lying to jour favor of the £4th
instant, Jet me say that I make no aye -luff,
except Aniline Oil, aniline Salt and ears .'hen;/-
lened iambic . I do not know of anyone e: cept
the Becker Chemical Company and Scholkopf. Hart¬
ford und Hanna , who make eyes.
Yours very truly,
UNiyERSITY OF NEVADA
RENO. NEVADA, U. S. A. .
j Ja^g7^I9]:c. ,.^ •
A. Edison, j C<A-
V/est Orange, ' e*rvt. ‘4o rrWtc«»&*4 C^fvuvJ
Dear Dr.Edisc
. Mro^w xjo-tAn .oW{%*w»c ^
Under separate cover I i
h'.'^nS'lTf'
a sending ydu a reprint of
9 fec.-»><.4? V» —*
K.’Ch<
may already have been called to it, hut if no^r^shou^
read it, if you can find time to do so. I haW*' tried tc
my article in this month's Journal lof Ind.& Eng.'Chemistry c
of a large government institution for chemical ivesgarch. Your attention
Ulike to have you
> emphasize the
need of organized chemical research as the basis for military and
industrial preparedness for war, and I am wondering whether you have
not arrived at some similar conclusion.
Our most effective materials to-day may be antiquated to¬
morrow, and if we are to prevail* against a first class foe, whose chemical
industries are twenty five years in advance of ours.it i3 of prime
importance that we lay the proper foundation for these industries at
once. The five million dollar experimental laboratory, recommended by
your board, would be an exceedingly necessary adjunct to the present
naval equipment , but it seems to me we should pursue systematic research
in all t?ie main branches of chemistry.
I have already received a large number of letters, from various
parts of the country, commending the |>lan,and these have led me to
suggest the following: To obtain briefly stated opinions from twenty
five or thirty of the leading men of the nation, upon the feasibility of
my plan and have them published in SCIENCE. Would you consent to send
me your opinion for that purpose? I would like to call your attention to
an error in the paper: Department 47 should be sterir.es and not stearines.
With profound admiration for your scientific achievements,! am
Sincerely yours K
JAMES E. CLARK.
Munition Manufacturers1 Associates '
1019 FLATIRON BUILDING
v york January 27 , 193.6*
' /
oontraoted for. If you are willing to pay" 76^ per gallortT^' /
kindly advise me and I will see what I oan do for you. - /
Awaiting your pleasure, I am
Very truly yours.
/
P. S. Have you any use for Aniline Oil? I have been offered
60,000 gallons on a year's oontract, 5,000 gallons per month.
9S$pure. Price 05j<.
I was offered yesterday a oarload of Sulphurio Aoid,
66°. Now in a tank in New York. Price $S0 .00 a ton. In
oarboys $65 >0° a ton.
Jan. £Gth. 1916.
Hr. Iheodore Vi sicker, 7. Pres.,
ij. 1\. Squibb £j Sons,
iiev.- York City.
Ey dear Hr. ie inker:
I an in receipt of your favor of
the £6th instant, ana regret to say that 1 shall
be unable to contract with you for ..niline Oil,
as v;e nave sold our entire output for 1916, ana
have only enough -.oidr. to pull through nicely.
Some of these .-.cids 1 have only been able to
obtain by paying exorbitant prices.
r.opretting that X ounnot help you
out, I remain.
Yours very truly.
e Heyden Chemical Works.
k'll.I.IAM STKKKT. "bv»kx.n"w
NKW YORK. Jan. 31, 1916.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, II. J.
Dear Sir:-
H U-'-cX-C. -QCC-
v. .U£^
-1,77 .4 -K.
We should greatly appreciate a statement from you /
ihen you will begin to make to us deliveries of Catholic Acid f
.o the fall extent of our contract with you dftt€d April 27, 1916.
fhis contract calls for 1000 pounds per day, and deliveries at
that rate should have been made against it already last summer.
As your new Carbolic Acid factory is now running,
tie hope you will see your my clear to give us from now on the
quantity due as per agreement.
Very truly yours,
G8/K.
THE HEYDEH CHEMICAL TOEKS.
> 1 . V.prest.
A
StOWAf ^
January 31st, 1916.
'.UcUJ<
f M — fu /'it f yuux£t.£ajtf(i i’v*-
U
Mr. Thos. A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
My dear Mr. Edison,
I have taken the matter up with Mr.
Clause, President of the Columbia Chemical Company, in /A*
reference to the cloride of calcium, and find the Carbon-
dale Calcium Company have contracted for all the oaloium
oarbjde which the Columbia Chemical are making, and they
are at the present time behind on their orders for this
material. I think, however, the Carbondale Company resell
this calcium cloride, and if you write them, they can
probably give you a price on the material.
Had I taken the matter up with others
in the office, 1 could have given you the information
earlier, but I was under the same impression you were,
that this by-product was made in exoess of the amount which
found a ready market.
Ljcrt-vr £ t' tL* i
6 f- ! ov
QcS&'i
CjOO
With best regards, I beg to remain
Yours truly,/
Ed icon:
figures from „ooav.ara ana Johnstown, are as follows
Prom beginning to January fclst, 1916.
V.QODV.AiiB .
Benzol
Toluol
solvent
Eaphtha
SHIrl-lEHIS
117,716
16,526
Id ,436
STOCK Oil ILxIlD-
7 , 021
6,600
400
VtV?„L rr.ODUCTIOH
164,775
22,916
10,836
Benzol C.P.
" 90?*
Toluol
tolvent ilaphtha
SHIPUSUl'S
68,412
11,391
28,172
33,380
STOCK OH H. .HD
4,618
8,111
4,316
1.182
TOT-.L i’KODUCTIOH
- W7HL
21,146
32,928
34,162
B I. E 0 tt K X 0
T 0 R 3
i Wo • Of
.Motors
Operation Used
Bo. Kama ''
1. ' Rulohnnatlon 12
2. Liming 5
3’ Filter Proaaoa 4
Pumping into ::
4. Deoompoaltlon 2
4. Pumpa 1
Pumping into i:
4. Pun$>a 1
Pumping from '
S. Concentration Z
6. Crushing Salt 1
7. Fusing 6
8- A Cruahlng Cake 1
9. Eoutrallgatlpn 4
9- A Settling of' 1
Crude Phenol !
10. Distilling of 1
P. Phenol li
All Motors 230 Volts - Biroot Current.
Hovol. Direct
per Bnolc Con—
'Hypo Manufacturer Minute Goarod nootod Homarks
C.C.J.T.
C.U.
.Jhoolor 780 6 to 1 Bolt Dr
'• 1625 6 to 1 Goar Dr
'• 1050
Diroot Conneotod to pump;
Flexiblo Coupling.
Worthington Centrifugal
Pump Bo. 540168-V/.
1700 Diraot t
C.C.M.
C.il.
1625
1700
Diroot Conneotod to
Worthington Pump.
wound General Electric 1150 Belt Drive
220TVolt Sprague 1250 6 to 1 Goar Drive
220 Volt Goneral Blootric 375 Bolt Drivon
P. ip, Sprague 1250 6 to 1 Gear Drivon
Crodcer-Wheeler 1200 Direct -Connected to^
220 Wt C ro oher-V.hoe le r 1200 Wrect^cted to^
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
February
A
GREEK 'EM 2
DCKIBIOH IROE AED SSERI
COKPAiW LIMITED
THOMAS A. EDI SOH
Dated:-
HTMORAHDUM OP AGREEMENT in respect to sale and
purohaso of tonzol, made this 1st day of February, 1916,
oo two on POM IB I OH I HOB ABB 3fF.FI COIIPABY, LIMITED, of Sydney,
Bcva Scotia, horoinoftor called the Seller, and THOMAS A.
I' DIF OH, of West Orange, Hew Jersey, hereinafter called the
Buyer.
fhis agreement cancels and supersedes previously
existing agreements and contracts Between tho parties hereto
in so far ns they relate to the sale and purchase of benzol,
but nothing heroin shall be held to abrogate the agreements
and undertakings of tho parties hereto in respect to plans
to he furnished and sorvicos to be rendered by Thomas A.
Edison, or tho consideration to be received therefor by
Thomas A. Edison,
Tho Seller agrees to soil and the Buyer agrees to
huy 220,000 United States gallons C.P. consol at a price of
twenty- five cents (25^) per United States gallon, to he
shipped at the rate of 20,000 gallons per month during eaoh
and every month from February , 1916 to December , 1916, both
inclusive.
In addition to tho aforesaid 220,000 gallons of
benzol, the Seller agrees to sell and the Buy°* agrees to
buy 66,000 United States gallons C.P. benzol at a price of
fifty-nine cents (59{/) per United States gallon, to be
shipped at tho rate of 5000 gallons per month during eaoh
and every month of tho period from February, 1916 to Dec¬
ember, 1016, both inoluBive.
It iB mutually understood and abroad that if for
any roaaon tho 3ollor shall fall to supply the entire
376,000 gallons of benzol horoinbeforo agreed to be supplied,
tho Buyer shall not bo charged more than twenty-five cents
(25{0 per United States gallon for such benzol up to
220,000 gallons thereof.
Iho Seller furthermore agrees to sell and hereby
gives to the Buyer the option of purchasing G.1‘. benzol at
u prieo of twonty-five conts (26j/) per Unitod States gallon
not to ouoeod 20,000 Unitod States gallons per month during
oach and every month from January, 1917 to Juno, 1916, both
inclusive, or ouch portions thereof as the Buyer shall order;
provided, hov/over. that tho Buyer shall bo required to give
to the 6 oiler throe months notice in advance of the Buyer* s
I' requirements for each three months period of tho period from
January, 1917 to Juno, 1916, both indue ive.
All shipments of benzol hereunder shall bo from
the seller's works at Sydney, 11.5. , in tank cars to bo fum-
Ishod by the Buyer and shall bo consigned to the Buyer at
Orange, I5ev Jersey, or ol so who re in the Unitod States as
tho Buyer may direct, Buyer to pay freight and duty.
In tho event of sufficient tank cars not being
supplied in any one month to take care of the monthly quota,
the Buyer has tho right to furnish and the 3oller has the
right to insist on the Buyer furnishing additional tank oars
to enable the Sellar to mnko up tho shortage in tho ihonth
following such short shipmont. Should it bo happen that it
is found impossible to furnish additional oars in tho month
following tho short shipment to make up such shortago , tho
contract poriod for shipmont of suoh shortago may bo extended
2
for a period to bo mutually agreed upon to permit of the
shortage being taken care of. It shall, however, not be
incumbent on tho Seller to make up any such shortage caused
by tho Buyer failing to furnish tank oars sufficient to take,
care of any monthly quota not later than the month follow¬
ing tho short shipment.
?ho Buy or agrees to make paymont to tho Seller for
all benzol shipped as aforesaid within thirty days from date
of invoice. Shippers weight measurement and gauge to govern.
Bel ivories may be suspended pending any contin¬
gencies beyond tho control of tho Seller or Buyor (such as
fire, accident , war, strike, look-out, disaster or interrup¬
tion in navigation or transportation, inability to obtain
cars, or the like) causing a short supply of labor, fuel,
cars, raw material, or manufactured product, and preventing
or hindering tho manufacture, delivery, acceptance or con¬
sumption of tho material covered by this contract.
If the Buyor makes default in any payment or is
adjudicated a bankrupt or bocomeo insolvent, tho Seller may
at its o v/n option oanool further deliveries ,
III B'l'flH'SS V.H15S3QP, the parties heroto have exe-
Iouted this agreement the aay and year first uhovo written.
BOIJIHIOII I BO II AMD STEBlj CCKPAHY, UKITBP
By _ _ _ _
Witness ;
I
CUv
in'
(1-^VA
. ^ rr
;
U.6 cf^C -
'u^J t, t t J
^y^r^TT cd zrccvA u.6^.<
cL<..-*m-i do **<» u> (^:
'(T te U-^.V JU«* e;(^ ^*--<lf,e-
(wessJTte t3t£. £**.»
vuc-OXtC^
Jrt(U «dC“ 0 ■
Jtw,' - v^rri
X V 6^131 'n'4"l 1 {
r„ £■< Znu^-fr ^ (V‘T
u ya Lex. IS m.'K - S’eU.*". fcy
t , . <•
'Ski*™ ttpsAf,**-. Co-® ~ WrT" *"
J>jr;.«c-» tnl*. M*-c r" - >
\ HkG- iy(o
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Fob. let. 191G
Arrangement agreed to between Hr. Edison and
Lir - Plummer February lot, 1916.
Benzol to bo supplied by loninion Iron a Steel
Company to Bdieon under the old contract, at
Z&4 P°- u. S. gallon. Freight and duty to be
paid by Edison on delivery. 20,000 gallons
monthly to be delivered to Edison under old con¬
tract.
Edison to make an additional contract to tsko
from Bominion Iron d- Stool Company i.,000 gal¬
lons additional per month, or 10,000 gallons if
tho company can supply it, starting in February
and continuing to Boccmber Slot, 1916. She
price <.0 bo paid by Edioon for this additional
Benzol is 69^ per 'gallon at tho stool Company’s
Plant. Edison pays duty and freight to Orange.
Edison to supply tank ears at regular intervals
to the railroad for delivery to Vydnoy.
ilo thing horoin to abrogato conditions of old con¬
tract os to the throe years or tno royalty.
J.H.I5.
i'eb. 1st.
1910
Dominion Iron & Steel Company,
Sydney, -lova Scotia.
Attention of i.hr. IiIaeUauKhton.
Gentlemen:
'lour favor of the £6th ultimo in
regard to naphthaline has boon received.
If you will kindly send by express a ten
pound average sample, I will test it, and soe
if wo can make anything out of it.
rleaso address this sample to my
assistant, Ilr . VV. K. Ueadoworoft, at this
address .
■fours very truly.
you would Ilka to send someone from your factory to Inspect
our method, please let me know.
Yours very truly,
R.ii.O./j
Enclosure.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
February 1st, 1916,
Mr. Richard M. Colgate;
After cautioizing our Soda Ash with
caustic lime, we let the Hud Lime settle, remove the Caustic
Soda solution from above, wash the mud lime once in same tank
with water, removing the wash water from above the mud lime.
The mud lime is then mixed with enough water to make it in a
condition fit to pump, then pumped to filtering tanks.
These are reotangular iron tanks in the
bottom of which is a screen, on top of the screen is gravel
and on top of the gravel a heavy wire screen, on top of this
a fine brass screen and on top of this a heavy perforated iron
plate. In the bottom of tho tank are pipes run to other
tanks for saving the wash w
connected to a v
After the mud lime is pumped in these
tanks it is washed with water. The remaining mud lime con¬
tains about 1.75$ free lime CaO and less than 1$ of alkali
Ha2C03, and from 30$ to 40$ water.
Wo do not consider this method the beBt
if erecting a new plant. If tho lime oan bo used in any way,
it would certainly pay to use a filter press.
If we were to erect a new cauticizing
plant wo would investigate very oarefully the prooesB developed^
by the Dorr Cyanide Machinery Co., 17 Battery Place, M.Y.City. J
E RiSquibb Si. Sons
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
ALL COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO E. R. SQUIBB & SONS, GENERAL OFFICES, NEW YORK.
L
New York, February 1, ISIS'.
We have on hand some of your aoid <x^U'AX1 tt'
which is discolored — one drum of about 250
pounds, 3 tins of 25 pounds each, 10 tins of r
10 pounds each and 8 tins of 5 pounds each — » \
in all 465 pounds. We would like to return
this to you for exchange for white acid. .
Will you please let us know whether
you wish us to return it to you in the above ^lojC
packing? Co-t£-fc- \
We await your reply. ^
l(| ,/f.
Mr. Thomas Meadowcraft, Seo»y
Thomas A. Edison, r-- ,
Orange, H. J.
Dear Sir;
Very truly yours.
•fOWERS-WEIGHTMAN-ROSENGARTEN CO. U^jT\
] MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS /" / Q„Q- ^
Ninth aw Parrish Stkbets vP" i
_ I J)/lvvk/d&ljl'llM/, February 1, 1916.
~t'fx <svf tV“ i^-j £ i
laboratory of Thomas A. Edison, | . 1 ’ r
Orange, New Jersey te.<phcv| Xe vu
Bear Sirs*- "K «-U«>cs UTL <*n-c
near sirs. IHON BY HYBROGijH ' j
We acknowledge due receipt of your favor, of (the27th. ultimo /
isr-ct-eLe lia. i 3>icr*».- “>«-/ ’[•» «*'v /
to whioh we have given our careful consideration, butane *to the' un-
cLtrici' uJhvcI To — LOS. I'ot.e
certainty of the situation, a decision by us is rendered difficult for
_y\ -liM' 0 <- W
the reason that we are uncertain as to whither the two Houses who,
U'&a. o**\o C-o-ia-CcC. « C*.
from your letter we understand wouldjwish to be supplied witjh.jL|pOO
lbs. per month, would consume the quantity in question in their own~»-»~
manufacturing work, therefore eliminat ing^that quantity from competi- j
tion on the market, or whether the two customers specified expected >
u^u-v*£Avvaw( to ? T
to resell your product and if such is the case we would »not wfetimatp >
|l.*A t a C At., |
that we cotad handle for you any such quantity as 2,000 lbs. per
3-U « citT Mvc. fifet**
month. As you no doubt are quite well aware, the use of the article-*;'
U» A**/ ‘■***^iJ
iB very much restricted and undue competition would only Jpring about
iB very much restricted and undue competition would only bring about
a sharp reduction in price.
We have always distributed more or leai^f-this particular
product and we oould continue to handle reasonable quantities if the
situation did not develop in a way to prevent interest in the article.
If you will kindly favor us with a frank statement regarding the
facts, whioh of oourse will prove of mutual interest, we would be glad
to hear from you.
Very truly yours,
Fob. 2nd .
1916.
Mr. Charles E. Speirs,
% D. Van Ilostrand Company,
26 Dark Place,
ilew York City.
Dear Mr. Spcirs :
V. ill you kindly send the i'ollov.-
inp books for .Mr- Edison to look at on approval.
Caine & Ehorpo,
Synthetic Dyestuffs and Intermediate
Products .
Pay,
Cod lar Colors.
Georgevics,
Chemistry of Dyestuffs.
Yours very truly.
I
Jk'Ub, 4'4'L
Yv(t i 1/^t '^) (■ L 1 -
* ijvfeviki a ■■.''■4
'VO--
^ \Yol' ift-r C:Ly
\c-e^C^r\CA •'
4 «*cU^
vA^-^'Vj
hjfh - ykeaJjoMA^jjJ'
/
t5&l;
rAM.
-^y -Otrts&e
/K&t 6 -»*»- aljywwt.
j ptfejr
2-
a
ORIGINAL.
A. M. WOOD & CO., INC.
Commercial Trust Bldg.,
Number S-1519 Philadelphia, February 2, 1916.
A. M. Wood & Co., Inc., of Philadelphia, agree to sell and
Mr. Thomas A. Edison agree to buy.
QUANTITY.
Entire requirements for six months, February first
to August first | approximately 100 tons per month.
MATEKIAL.
Dry clean caBt iron borings, free from bras, all
to pass through 7/32" mesh screen ond to conform
in fineness to sample submitted.
PRICE.
$18.50 per ton for all cars which do not require shipping
to Lincoln, H . J. for screening
$22.00 per ton for all cars requiring shipping to
Lincoln, H. J. for screening. The difference in price
of $3.50 per ton to cover labor and extra freight.
TERMS .
Less 1% for cash in 10 days.
SHIPMENTS .
To be Bhipped in box cars, swept clean before loading
to Thomas A. Edison Aniline Plant, Silver Lake, N.J. for
Erie delivery.
REMARKS .
It is mutually agreed that we are to have the refusal
on a further six months contract on account of the
equipment we are installing to properly supply this
material.
NOTE. -Materials must be waybilled as scrap iron.
Minimum car-load weight must be at least 20
gross tons. Unless otherwise instructed load
in gondola cars. Original B/L must accompany
all bills .
ACCEPTED (signed) Thos. A. Edison.
DATE Feb. 2, 1916
A. M. WOOD & CO., INC.
(SIGHED) A. HOFMANN.
Secretary.
KINDLY DATE, SIGN AND RETURN DUPLICATE CONTRACT.
Peb. Srd.
1916.
Ur. John Bue on, Jr.,
Edison Benzol Plant,
Johns tcv.n. Pa.
Dear Dir:
.ifter looking at your report of Peb.
1st, ilr . Edison wishes me to ask you thy your
output of light oil has pone down. ho fishes
me to ask v. bother the Cambria Company are riot
coking rood coal.. Ho also fishes me to ask whether
you knot 1:7 they intend coking better coal or a
hotter mixture.
lours very truly,
Assistant to !/.r . Edieon.
Mx
McKesson & robbTns
ESTABLISHED 1333 J ■
jK .V
xr v
c\vw
V ,
g&e-
bear Sir:
”iT f
4"4
ff
,7e have ,your favor of the 2nd and
yatal Carbolic Acid
thank you for your offer of' 1000 lhs.
l«r day from May 1st to December 31et , 1910, at 85^ lb.
P.O.B. Silver I. alee. /let ua know if you vdll guarantee th<
to answer the U. S-!-'' requirements throughout the period of
v<
4th . 1
;,v. il. K. Hitchcock,
Coueuiting furinoer,
litisburgh PI?- to Glues Co.*
Frick ikiilding.
.ittsbuxgh, Ha.
Dear iir. Hitchcock:
I urn in receipt of your favor
of the blot ultimo, but did not quite catch
on .-.hen you aay that the Curbondtle Calcium
Company have contracted for all the Carbide
which the Columbia Chemical Company are mak¬
ing. Your akron Soda V.orke must throw r.way
□very day at leant too tone of Calcium Chloride.
i'ourt very truly.
February 4th. 1916.
j0LaJj< likusu ^
i,Ir. Edison: 1% (S-^J
Badger culled up from Boston on the telephone and
said that they could not sond their engineer to Silver lake
at present to see v:hat v.'e did in regard to the skills.
They say that some sort of report must have been made
to you about the stills, and they would like/to have a copy of
it. I told them that it was an oral repor-t.
Then they said they could not understand v.hy the changes
for lammerhoff's stils cost so very much iess than those at the
new plant, and asked if v<e could not malji^ some sort of a state¬
ment for them so that they might have/4 little better understand¬
ing of the matter. / I
If I knew anything about th<j technical details of these
two stills, or had any knowledge of what was done and what changes
were made, I would draft up'' some kind of report and show it to
you for approval , but ap'you know, I was here all the time, and
do not know the practical details.
V;hat cajr v.e do about muking a report for them?
/ MEaDO V< CROFT .
C ‘/f/f/rni) -x . X //AAr//,-
Co, limited.
/C /fat,,/ ■ jft/fMff'/t- ■ AsrfiiA/r. /./toj
• Irrr-^/rr/-,
Eebruary 4 , /#/ 6.
Thomas A. Edison, Ino. ,
Orange, II. J.
Dear Sir S—
_ Met Toluol From Your Cambria Plant.. . .
V,'e v.’ould like to know very much if you will
authorize us to negotiate with Italian Commissioners for the
sale of C.P. Toluol from your Cambria Plant, at the rate of
130 gallons per day, beginning with April, 1916 and ending oi
Mar oh 31, 1916.
As you know, we are working with Mr. John Sloane
on a large order from Russia for Kall-Ocott Motors and Sloane
Aeroplanes, and at this moment we committed ourselves to the
extent of 100 Hall-Scott Motors, for which 7/e actually made the
contract to buy. At present, the prospects are very bright in
obtaining an order for 300 Motors and 100 Sloane Maohines.
Under the circumstances, it is very Important
for us to keep the representative of Hall-Scott Motor Car Compe^
in IJew York, on good terms with us. Mr. Whitaker of Hardy, .
Stanclif fe & Whitaker is the representative, and we found that .
his firm act as counsellors for the Italian Commissionerb ,-v
Thomas A. Edison, Inc. -2-
and if I can soil your toluol from Cambria Plant to the
Italian Commissioners and give them some commission, it will
place ue in a very favorable position with Ur, Whitaker,
Would you be good enough to make me the
following proposition:-
C. P. Toluol, Barretts Specification,
4,000 to 4,500 gallons per month,
beginning with April, 1916 and end-
ing in March 1917, at the price which
is to be agreed upon by you later on.
If you give me such an authorization, I will
get Mr. Whitaker's firm to approach the Italian Commissioners
and find out how much toluol and at what price they are willing
to buy, and we will immediately get in touch with you, and ask
you for your price.
The contract will have to be made between the
Italian Commissioners and yourselves, or if you wish, we will
sign the contract on your behalf, holding ourselves responsible
for the payment to you.
The main, object in this matter is to capture
"r. whitakor in order to uelp ourselves out in our negotiation
with Hall— Scott Motor people, but of course, wo would like to •••■
make a little bit out of this, if you do not mind, Y?e, therefor*
would like to ask you to give us 10# commission, to be divided . •;
between Mr, Whitaker and ourselves, of the contract price, Whie^
we will try to make as high as possible,' .
Hoping that you will extend us your courtesy, '
Feb . 5th. 1916.
Mitsui Company, Limited ,
25 Madison avenue ,
Lev; fork City.
attention of lAr_. Shunso fakaki.
Bear .ir:
Your favor of tiie fourth instant in
regard to the 1’oluol from Mr. Edison's Canbria
riant has been reooived . I nov. beg to confirm
v;hut I told you over the telephone this morn-
ins, namely , that we shall be unable to make you
any proposition, as v.e have ulroady disposed
of the toluol from the Cambria riant for one year.
Yours very truly.
-assistant
Edison.
Eeb.
fcth. 1916.
Pov.ers-i.eiphtm&n-hotonparten Co. ,
Ilinth and iarrish streets,
Ihiladolpnla, i-a.
Gentlemen:
: eplyinr to your favor of the first instant, v.e beg
to say that it it against Ur- Edison's policy to give to any¬
one exclusive rights of sale of any of his products. It v.ould
be especially so in the case of Iron -y hydrogen, as ve are not
really seeding to build up a trado in this material, nor do we
intend to. except in regard to our excess. V.e make a large quan¬
tity for our own requirements, and could supply a certain quan¬
tity in excess, ..ithout increasing our investment. It is with
regard to this excess that wo have had our previous correspond¬
ence with you.
•,!r . Kdison did think that ho might try to take care of
a larger nroduetion, but scorns to think now that tno business it
not sufficiently attractive at the prico.
fours very truly.
Edison laboratory .
lying ution yonr word that at least six hundred tons of toluol were
to be delivered, feeling certain that no better security could be
given to him than your statement. He feels that he was justified
in relying on thi3 without having any writing covering it. If you
think some adjustment of this matter could be made we will bo
pleased to hear from you; otherwise we will bo obliged to send the
oase to our Ilew Jersey representative.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
February 11th. 1916.
Mr. Holden:
1 hand you herev.ith some papers rolating to a matter
on which Mr. Edison would like to have your oarly attention.
In connection v.ith them, lot rae aako the following statement
of facts. In the early part of February last year a Col. J.
1). Davis brought and introduced to Mr. Edison a Mr. Herbert
lewis, of London, who opened negotiations with M. . Edison for
the Toluol which he expected to make at the Benzol Plant at
that time in course of erection at Johnstown, Pa.
These negotiations were concunated by a sale to the
British Government through J. P. Morgan S: Company as per con¬
tract contained in letters 1 and 2 hereto attached. The ar¬
rangements with Mr. Lewis in regard to commission, and in re¬
gard to commission to be paid by him to Col. Davie are covered
by letters 3,4 and b hereto attached.
The first three papers attached hereto will show you
the turn the matter has takoa at this time, bill you please
note Mr. Edison's momoranda on these three letters, and proceed
in accordance therewith. If you write to Doe Passos Brothers,
it might posBibly be well to let us see your proposed letter up
here.
V.. H. MEADObCBOFT.
J
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
February 14, 1916
Messrs. Dos Pussos Bros.,
120 Broadwuy,
How York, II. Y.
Gentlemen
Your letter of the 7th inst. to Mr. Edison relating
to the alleged clain of Mr. Herbert Levis has been referred to
this department. Hr. Edison denies that he ever gave Mr.
Levis any assurance that the quantity of toluol to be sup¬
plied to Messrs. J. P. Morgan & Company would amount to at
least six hundred tons. Up to date, 26,672 gallons of toluol
have been supplied under the contract, and no moro , and Mr.
Levis has been paid, olthor directly oi’ thro’.igh the Equitable
Trust Company of Ilew York, the aura of .1420.60. Mr. Loris
has therefore boon paid in full up to date everything due him
under his contract with Hr. Edison, and I am unable to see
that he has any further claim.
Yours very truly.
General Counsel
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
TOLUOL lHISPKD OH aCCOUHT Off BAiTISH COUTBACT
- Juno 18 th, 191b -
2 _ July 3rd, 1915 -
3 _ " 28th, 1915 -
4 _ Aug . 25th, 1915 -
5 - Sept. 18th, 191b — r -
6 _ Oct. both, 1915 - —
5! _ Uov. 24 th, 1915 -
B _ Jan. 13 th, 1916 -
2 , 939v
2,867
2,542
3,664
3,192
4,406
4,936
■4,026
total
£8,572
Jersey City,
Reference:
Subject:
(a) Bureau of Supplies & Accounts Itr. 23233 of 12— 24— 15*
Phenol - date on which monthly deliveries should be ready
for inspection to avoid assessment of liquidated dama¬
ges.
Sir:-
1. While inspecting the February shipment of phenol on
Feb. 7th Mr. Kammerhoff mentioned to me the matter of liquidated
damages which had been assessed your company for the delay of de¬
livery due Deo. 1st, and requested that I inform him when he should
have the material ready for inspection in order to avoid a similar
occurrence.
2. Paragraph 1 of reference (a) appears to me to cover
this. From this I infer that the monthly deliveries should be ready
for inspection on or before the 5th of each month, and the Inspector
should be informed sufficiently in advance of that date so that it
will be possible for him to make the inspection by that time. This
procedure on your part will clear you from the assessment of liqui¬
dated damages.
3. Should the Inspector be unable, owing to other Govern¬
ment business, to appear at your works on or before the 5th of each
month, after he had been duly notified that material was ready for
inspection on or before that date, the fault would lie with the
Government and your company would Tinder these circumstances not be
checked for liquidated damages. When such occasions arise, the In¬
spector automatically takes up the matter with the Properauthori-
ties, thus preventing the assessment of liquidated damages and sav-
ing the company any correspondence relating thereto.
4. The inspection of the Feb. shipment is a case in point.
The Inspector was informed by messenger early Friday Feb. 4th, that
the material was ready for inspection. He was unable to make the in¬
spection before Monday, Feb. 7th. She Bureau of Supplies and Accounts
will be informed at the proper time of this faot, and you will not
be assessed liquidated damages for the Feb. shipment.
5. Will you kindly give Mr. Kammerhoff the information he
-2-
desires as I promised to let him know hut thought it better to take
up the matter directly with you.
Respectfully,
Lieut. Comdr. U^TMavy,
Haval Inspector of Powder, E. C.
Mr. M.R. Hutchison, o/o
laboratory of Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.
UNITED PIECE DYE WORK'S
DYERS PRINTERS AND FINISHERS IN THE PIECE OF
ALL SILK FABRICS, SILK S COTTON MIXED GOODS,
i WOOL, ALL COTTON GOODS ETC.
N.J.
February Sth. 191c
lir. Thomas F. Bdi;
Edison Laboratory,
Crcnge, :.J.
SUBJECT : OHTI TO -ITITRO -PI KlIOL ,
^°5r
Kindly address all Further t
l oclif;e,
nications toytffe a'tfsft'odi / VV
. cy jk \q° y f /
r- fL~ Youra trulY-
p V. U I^UHITED PIECE BYE V-'ORKS, t 5 vfCrj^ /
' I 'rLef^ - ^ ^ "
sip *f , “
HLB/nE.
Assistant Treasurer.
f\V
l
E RiSquibb &. Sons, Nkw York
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
Executive Office
Dear J£r. Edisoi
In your favor of the 22nd ult. you wrote m«
that you would be willing to sell us a set of drawings
for a' plant for manufacturing aniline oil as you do it.
V/e have wactioally decided to take up this product, and
1 shall therefore make free to call on you soon for ft
conference regarding the drawings. Ueanwhile would you
be good enough tc let us know what aniline oil oi tne
cual i tv such as you know is required will cost per pound
by your process on the basis of 64f£ per gallon for Benzol
oiif., Barrett specifications, lOj-pT per pound for nitric
acid 42 degrees, and $40 per ton for sulphuric acid oo
decrees. We presume of course, that the raw materials
i for
manufacture
In view of the rapidly changing market
for acids and Benzol we would very much appreciate a reply
from you at your very earliest convenience.
olL,
ci:;
dL — —
February 10th. 1916.
Mr. Eammerhoff:
Herewith I hand you copy of a letter from Lieut.
Kimberly in which he makes explanation in regard to the date of
delivery and notification for inspection, uill you please bo
guided by tho instructions contained in his letter.
I am glad of one thing, and that is, that this
differs from tho ^rmy shipments, which v;e have to make every 30
days. From this letter it appears that our monthly deliveries
for the Davy should bo ready for inspection on or before the
Lth or each month, thus giving a dofinite date, 'i’hie will be
helpful for us.
V.. H. UBADOuCfiOK.
Enclosure.
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
52-54-56 Lafayet te Street
Newark, X..JT. Feb. ioth, i9if>.
Thee. A. Edison, Lab.,
West Orange, H. J.
liy dear Hr. Edison:
A certain friend of curs has an idea
that he is a. chemical merchant and incidentally the king
of all pertaining to Aniline Oil. I don't think so
myself. I am enclooing herewith a check for $855.00
as your share of a little go that I had with him.
©lu'Jmmutlnf Olmmiuw tb-
AND COMMERCIAL BULLETIN X
Messrs Thomas A. Edison, Inc.,
Orange , N . J.
Dear Sirs:- _ _ _
Enclosed is a clipping from this morning's Journal of
Commerce which no doubt will be of interest to you. I am desirous
of conducting an independent investigation as to the prospects for
an adequate supply of dyes. As an aid in this direction, will you
oblige by giving me such facts as are available in connection with
. your own production, and especially the prospects of production?
Any suggestions for improving the dyestuff situation
will also be highly appreciated.
L&
cJtoAc *<v- \
• —Its
A J ~
K~*r5vw~ ^
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
. ’ the journal c
OF COMMERCE AND ‘COMMERCIAL BULLET | (November marV-^ui..* j $
When will you send me the additional contract for five or ten
thousand gallons more Benzol per month, contract based on memo
randum agreement signed hy Plummer and myself iayhefore he
sailed I have put two more tank cars on Sydney se JTioe h
“wthii. cLPyou let me have still more in addition to above
commencing May first at fifty-nine centB.
THOMAS A. EDISOM.
Dilvor I.ako, H. J. »
February 11th, 1916.
HA'flOK TOR Iin. 'i’ATBUlll.
According to your dirootions, X am sending
you a list of questions put up by Xtr. Tatsumi, and my answers
thereto. Please let mo taow if these emanations are
satisfactory to you, so that X may torn then over to JSr.
Tatoumi. Eosidos, tho latter has received a sot of blue
prints of our apparatus, tanks, oto., as far as such drawings
nrn available.
li. ICAiailHOEF.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
QUESTIONS FHOil AiJl) ANSWERS TO Nit. TATS UNI.
SULP1IQ RATION
(a) I liave heard from you that
six hours la required for one
operation. Then can wo operate
four times per day by this sul-
phonating pot?
(b) V/hat quantities or Benzol
and Sulphuric Acid are charged
at ono time?
(c) I think Sulphonating Pot
Iiavo been acting by acid, lie-
pairs must bo often done, isn't
(d) Are cooling and heating
necessary in sulphonating?
(e) How do you detect the end
point of Sulphonating?
(f) Ho v/ many revolutions por
minute has the Sulphonating Pot?
CAhOIUN
(a) How many rotations per minuto
has tho Calcium Tank?
(b) How do you deteot the end point
of neutralization point by Calcium?
(o) How many oapaoity lias tho
Calolura Tank?
(a) thu jiilphonatlng i>rocess takas
about six hours if 98,j Sulphuric Acid
is used; it takes about eight hours
if Fuming Acid i3 used.
(b) In tho Sulphonating Process wo
use 350 pounds of Benzol, plus 040
pounds of Sulphuric Acid of 90$.
Or 430 pounds of Bonzol, plus 722
pounds of Fuming Acid.
(c) Hepair3 of some or the other kind
have to ho frequently made. Fuming
Acid, however, appears to be more
aggressive, and causing more repairs
than does Sulphuric Acid of 93^j.
(d) It is necessary to provide the
sulphonating kettle with steam as well
as with water connections, tho steam
being used for heating — the water
connection for cooling purposes .
(e) During the Sulphonating Process
tho operator inserts a 3mall glass
pipe from time to time, closes it on
the other end by his finger, takes the
pipe out of the kettle and 3003 if any
free Bonzol is loft on top of tho Acid.
(f) Tho stirrer in the Sulphonating
kottle makes about sixty revolutions
per minuto.
(a) Tho stirrer in the Calcium Tank
makes about 25 revolutions por minuto.
(b) T/e use Litmus Paper in order to
tost whether the neutralization has
boon carried through.
(c) The Calcium Tank ha3 a oapaoity
of about 1575 gals. We put in it at
a time one charge coming from tho
Sulphonating kettle.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
3. OAICIUii SAI/T OP BENZOL SULPHONATE
(a) Hov/ many oapacity has the
filter press?
(.b) I think the filter press i3
suffioient for 1 ton plant daily.
How do you think?
(o) Have you some proposal to
pros 3 stronger than present press¬
ing in order to prevent the loss
of Benzol Sulphonate solution?
4. ADDING OF SODA ASH
(a) Are the soda ash tanks quite
same as Calcium Carbonate Tank?
If not so, please tell me the oap¬
acity of soda ash tank.
(b) How many revolutions per min¬
ute has the soda ash tank?
(c) How do you detect the end
point of soda ash adding?
(d) Do you dilute the solution of
Benzol Sulphonate of 3oda in order
to decrease the loss of that soda
salt with Calcium Carbonate?
5. EVAPORATION OF SODA SOLUTION OP
BENZOL SULPHONATE.
(a) How many capacity has the
evaporating pan?
(b) At what degree of concentra¬
tion do you change the solution
into the drying pan?
(a) One press has a oapacity of 32
cubic foot in 48 frames of 36 inohes
by 36 inches aquare. It is largo
onoughto receive one batch from the
Calcium Tank.
(b) For a production of 2000 lbs. of
P. Phenol a day, I think it wise to
have two presses, one of which servos
as reserve. If one presB only is in¬
stalled, there should bo as a kind of
reserve » second complete sot of plates,
(c) For forcing the solution out of
the press we are using pressed air of
between 40 and 50 lbs. pressure per
square inch. So far as we have found
out, it would help very little to use
still higher air pressure. At present
wo do not know of a better method to
get the solution soparatedfrom the
(a) The tank has a capacity of 1660
gals. I advise using a steel tank in¬
stead of a wooden tank.
(b) The stirrer makes about ten
revolutions por minute.
(o) We test the process of decompos¬
ition with Litmus Paper.
(d) One batch in a Sulphonating kettlo
consisting of 350 pounds of Benzol takes
200 to 210 lbs. of Soda Ash, the latter
being dissolved in about 100 gal3. of
water, and then mined with the solution
in the tank where the decomposition
tako3 place, the solution coming from
the press, boing lime Benzol Sulphonato.
(a) One evaporating tank has about 1100
gals, oapacity. I advise using steel
tanks instead of wooden tanks.
(b) We boil the solution down so far
that it just can be pumpod over into
the drying tanks, its spaoifio gravity
boing about 1100 at 40° Centigrade.
(o) How many capacity has the (o) Tha tanJc a oapaoity of
drying pan? about 1550 Gals.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
ALKALI FUSIOM
(a) How many quantity of Caustic
Soda, the soda salt 'of henzol sul-
phonate and water are chargod in
the melting pot at one time?
(h) How do you detoot the finish¬
ing point of Alkali Fusion?
{o) I want to know the temperature
of each half an hour during the whole
operation of Alkali Fusion.
(d) How many time io required to
alkali fusion? If poesihlo, I want
to know the separate hours of charg¬
ing (1J , and molting of oau3tio soda,
charging and molting of soda salt of
Benzol Sulphonate and discharging
of melted mass.
(o) ilr. Adison aaid to me one day
that the fused mass solidly at some time.
I want to know the roason, and would
like to hear your opinion to prevent
such results.
(f) How much power is required to
each molting pot?
(a) V/e fuse 1150 lhs. of Cau3tio Soda
with 1650, lhs. of Sodium Salt of Benzol
Sulphonlc Acid, adding 30 to 40 Liters
of water to a hatch.
(b) Hie tomporaturo during the Fusing
Process rises to about 327° Centigrade,
or 620° Fahr. It should not go over
330° Contigrado. She total time for a
normal ohsrge is slightly over 0 hours.
(c and d) X would advise that you,
yourself, watch the Fusing Process and
the number of batchoa closely, so as to
get acquainted with it. As you further¬
more intend to buy a recording instru¬
ment and attach it to ono of the Fusing
kettles, you will get the desired de¬
tails.
(u) trouble can arise if the tompora¬
turo io not kept high enough, it is
necessary to discharge the Fusing kettle
at a tempo nature not lower tiian 250°
Centigrade, as otherwise the fU3od
product starts becoming hardened.
(f) .Vo drive the stirrer in the Fusing
kettle by a 3 horse-power motor.
IiaU'IBALIZA'flOK
(a) 1 have known by your kind answer
that you are using 90% Sulphuric Acid
diluted to 1.300 specific gravity. I
would like to know al3c the spocifio
gravity of solution of Sodium Plicnolatc
(a) V/o do not tost tho specific grav¬
ity of tho mixture in tho neutralizing
tanke. It would be very difficult to
got any dependable results regard to
ai.ooifio gravity, as Ik. iultrr is
changing constantly, :eid varies accord¬
ing to the more or loss dissolved
ihenolato, tho she no la to constantly
striving to settle down.
(b) I think that the neutralization
is very important point, although it
seems very simple. Is there a special
method for neutralization to increase
the yield of phenol?
(c) How do you detect
of neutralization?
(b) I do not know any special method
to inereaso the yield of ihenol from
the neutralizing process.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(a) I would like to know such
composition of Crude Phonol ao
wator, lure Phenol, higher Phenol
anti the othor impurities.
(b) Hov/ many pounds of Crude
Phenol are charged to oaoh still?
Uow many pounds of Pure
Phenol can you make from each
still for one ciiarge?
(c) I think that the re3iduo of
still after distilled all Pure
Phenol and the first running of
distillation contain some quantity
of Pure Phono 1.
What method are you taking to
recover the above Pure phenol?
(a) 'i’ho Crude Phenol contains about
17$ of wator and about 02,1 of P. Phenol,
whilst the remaining 1$ is rssidue.
(b) Our large Vacuum Still can be
oluirged with up to 10,000 lbs. of Crude
Phenol, v/hllst the small atill3 tak9 up
to 2,000 lbs. of Crude Phenol. Tito
direct yield of P. Phenol i3 about 62$.
(c) During each charge of our distill¬
ing apparatus, we first drive off under
atmospheric pressure tho so-oalled steam
heads, containing mostly water. In
order to avoid any los3 of P. Phonol
contained in this water wo use the latter
in our neutralizing procoss for dissolv¬
ing the Phono late.
After the steam heads are driven off
we get so-called "vacuum heads" , distillod
over under vacuum, containing P, phonol
and some water. Those Vacuum Hoad3 are
added to the Crude Phonol in the no:ct
ciiarge of the Distilling apparatus.
Tlie residue remaining in the kettle
after the P. Phenol is distilled over, is
stored and will bo re-distilled when we
have enough of it on hand to dispose of it.
The test which we have made with re¬
distilling this residue shows that it con¬
tains some P. Phenol and some other matter,
distilling over at above 220° Centigrade,
consisting of probably soma kind of
naphthaline. About 50$ of tho Residue
consists of Pitch, whioh hardly is of any
value .
(d) How do you detect the point that
P. Phenol begin to distill?
(e) 1 observed that the distilling
of Phenol become brown. Itow do you
remedy that condition? If there are
some methods to prevent such bad re¬
sults, please tell me those methods.
(d) The operator of the distilling appar¬
atus must learn by experience how to
handle it. Steam Heads should be driven
off under atmospheric pressure at a tem¬
perature rising up to about 115 or 120
degrees Centigrade. At a vaouura of, for
instance, 26 inches, the changing over
from Vaouura Heads to Phenol Crystals
takes place at about 125° Centigrade.
(e) There ie no danger of getting color¬
ed P. Phanol as long as the operator
keeps the kettle and tanks properly
cleaned, provided, furthermore, that the
Phenol oyr8tals are not distilled over
at too high speed. Kettle and receiving
tanks made from copper give better results
than those made from steel, as the latter
are more easily attacked by the Sulphurous
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(o) (Continued) Gas contained in the Crude Phenol, and as
even small particles, of scale from the
steel tanks tond to discolor the 'Phenol
Crystals.
AKA. LYSIS
(a) Y/hat materials are you analyz¬
ing daily? I would like to know those
rn« and the all results of a few day3.
(a) Y/e are testing dally in our Laboratory;
lot. Each hatch in operation 1 from
the Sulphonat ing pots. The speoific gravity
of the Benzol Sulphonio Acid should not be
higher than 500 Boaume, there should be no
free Benzol.
2nd. Operation 5. Sodium Salt, of
Benzol Sulphonio Acid. The Sodium Salt
should be as dry as possible, we allow not
more than a maximum of 4;$ of water, but have
mostly considerably loss. There should, fur¬
thermore be an excess of Na2C03 of not more
than 1$.
3rd. Sodium Ihonolate. Y/e make a
test of each batch coming from the Fusing
kettles, taking 170 grams and neutralizing
it, allowing as maximum 10,. $ Residue, expect¬
ing not less than 50 cubic centimotres of
Crude Phonal.
4th. Crude Phenol. From the un¬
settled Crude Phenol we take 100 cubic centi¬
metres, allowing not more than 4>$ of Residue.
5th. P. Phenol. Y/e test color and
crystalizing point from each batch from the
distilling apparatus, allowing not less than
38° Centigrade as crystalizing point. See
copies of our daily test of Januury 24th,
2oth nwl Dooomber 31st, 1916.
10.
The consumption of Sulphuric Acid
and Caustio Soda in Sulphonization
of Benzol reap. Alkali Fusion are
more than 2 times of theoretical
necessary quantities^ Have you any
proposal to decrease the consump¬
tion which will succeed in near
future?
The proportions havo boon sottled after mak¬
ing numerous experiments. If wo altor tnem
we are not sure of success.
I beg t
s far ;
. our analyses show, wo lo^ibout jry
Operations 1 to 6 by oarrying oyerT?/^
oneration 'gradually. I was inform-Z^So'dium Salt of Bonzol Sulphonio Acid, whilst
ed the yield of P. C. Phenol io 5.3\ the rest is lo3t by transferring Sodium Salt
lb. from one gallon of Bonzol, that into P. Hionol.
is, 60;$ yield from Bonzol for the
theoretical one. (As you know, the
theoretical yield of Phenol is about
120,$ for Benzol by weight).
I would like to know the I033 in eaoh
operation of Phenol making. (The
total loos of each operation is 40/i
fpr theoretical one).
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
12. Morons
(a) You aro using Individual
motor for oach maoliina. I think
that thia system la vary oonvon-
iont, hut I think alao that using
of 3uni/miri20ii motor Is cheaper
oo3t, although somewhat inconvon-
iont. How do you think?
(a) Tho quoation whether each machine
should ba driven by a separata .no tor, or
whothor a number of machines ought to bo
connoctod together to ono inotor , has o
bo answered individually in oacn ca30.
It lias hardly anything to do with tno
choniical problom.
If coat of motors and of onrrant ia
comparatively high, there .certainly are
..,1 where it i3 bettor to connect a
number of machine a to one motor instead of
driving oach apparatus by a special motoi.
In America, however, where motora ana
current are cheap, it appears to be more
advantageous to use separate motors, in
that way avoiding bolts, friction^-
couplings and transmission shafts, which
cau30 more reoairs and interruption. In¬
jure laborers’, not to mention dangors
censed by sparks from mechanical friction,
such sparks being able to explode eon-,ol
urtlio
orial v
-,i03 of our daily !*»->•■ «-
rd and 24th of January, 1916
tho way wo hoop track^of ^tiv
fjOJ
quantity of 2ou;:ol,
aoatono and Soda Ash is
d by the foreman. Tho same is the
case in the Fusing and neutralising Process.
The report of the distilling apparatus showa
tho Yield of eaoh chareo regarding atoam^
heads, vacuum-heads, P. Phenol and Residue.
In order to avoid greater looses which
might bo caused by broken pipes, leaking
tanks, etc., we make.besidea the monthly in¬
ventory a rough inventory every Sunday,
comparing tho production of the Previous
weokwith the total consumption of materials
used.
NVm.A.Kkaij Jfc Co.
NASSAU K- CEIJAU STKHKTS
jwvohk. February 11,1916
Dear Ilr- Ueadowcraft:
Confirming my telephone conver¬
sation with you I wish to give you the following mem-
oranas
I talked with the Milwaukee Coke uc Gas Co* and
the northwestern Iron Company over the telephone this
afternoon about the extension of Ur. Kdison's contract
for henzol from their expiration to the end of 191b.
Though neither Company is in a position to state at this
time that they can extend his contract they made the
following statement to me.
They are desirous and intend to do everything they
can to take care of Ur. Ddisons requirements , and the only
reason they cannot say that they can do this is that their
own requirements for benzol in their refining plants are
somewhat uncertain, and they are not positive v/hat exact
amount they will have available. At present they think they
will be able to take care of Ur. i-Idison's entire requirement
to the extent of 1,000 gallons per day for the rest of this
year .with the possible expectation of a shortage occur ing
during July and part of August.
They will not sell any benzol whatever for the second
half of this year without first offering it to Mr. Mdison
and they will not increase their own consumptive requirement
without weighing v ry carefully in their minds the effect
this this might have on their ability to take care of i.Ir.
^dison. In other words you are their favoreu customer, and as
it looks at present will be their only customer, for they will
allow all other contracts to expire so that they may be able
to give you as much benzol as possible.
Wm. H. Ueadowcraft ,Esq.
I shall he very glad to keep you Informed
from time to time as to the situation.
With kind personal regard s,l am
Very truly yours.
Wm. E. Ueadowcraft ,Esq.
Orange, M.J.
ANILINE DIVISION
THOMAS A. EDISON
Silver Lake. N. J., Teh. 12, lS-ld.
Mr. W. H. Meadowcroft,
Laboratory.
Dear Mr. Meadowcroft : -
Much annoyance, delay and inconvenience has been and is be¬
ing experienced by these divisions due to the telephone service
rendered us through the switch-board in the Chemical Works. The
business of the superintendents of the plants, Mr. Mason and the
office here is being subjected to the convenience of the other
divisions, and after consultation with those above mentioned, it
has been deemed advisable to install a two-trunk line six exten¬
sion switch-board here with a connecting line to the Chemical
V/orks, which we can operate without the acquisition of additional
help and at no greater cost than now is imposed upon us, but
with greater efficiency in service.
If necessary, will you be so kind as to present this to Mr.
Edison for his decision in the matter.
February 12th. 1916.
X am dictating this memorandum simply as a reminder. On
February 10th Ur. Takaki telephoned that he had an offer for
Woodward Toluol for the year 1917 at a price which would net
$2. 8b per gallon, the quantity to be 120 gallons per day, more
or less. Mr. Takaki asked me to ascertain from Mr. Edison
whether or not he would advise the acceptance of this offer,
which had been made in behalf of the Italian Government.
I spoke to ilr. Edison about it, and he said that we could
probably get a better price froraDu Font and suggested that I
call up V.. £. Carpenter, Jr. I did so, and Mr. Carpenter told
me that they were not making any contracts for Toluol for the
year 1917.
I told Mr. Edison about this, and asked him whether he
would advise Mr. Takaki to accept the other offer. Mr. Edison
said that it would be all right to do so provided that Mr.
Takaki in making his contractsmade them with absolutely reli¬
able and responsible people so that there would be no doubt
whatever about the material being taken and paid for. I tele¬
phoned Mr. Takaki to this effect on February 11th, and laid
a great deal of emphasis upon it.
V.. H. MEaDOV, CROFT.
(W>
Jb)r-
Mr. Miller:
.February 14th. 1916
HJ-tX
Binney i. Smith called mcj/up on the telephone
today and asked if v.e would accept an order for 10,000
pounds of Iron by Hydrogen, to be distributed in equal
shipments over the remainder of this year. I told them
that v.e would no
package charges",
later .
:e.pt such an order at 35 cents, plus
i'hcy said they v.ould sond the order > long
f
February 14th. 1916,
Mr. Miller:
Enclosed I J<eg to hand you letter of lowers-
fteightman-r.osengarteil Company dated February 12th, {together
with their' order #9I6A for 1,000 pounds /of Iron by Hydrogen,
to which please gi/e your kind attention.
For iouj* information I am also enclosing copy of
our letter to them of February 5th. / ^
^ ■
. MEiiDOVi DKOFT . iLy
Fob. 14th. 1916.
Me ko el on d bobbins,
91 Fulton Street,
Hot. York City.
Gontlomcn :
Eeforrinp to your favor of the third
instant in ropara to 1,000 pounds of Crystal
Carbolic acid per duy from May 1st to December
31st, 191o , v.e bep to say that v.e v.ould not care
to undertake the puarantoe you mention.
Youra very truly.
Edison Laboratory.
Feb. 14th. 1910.
United rieco Dye Works,
l$di, 11. J.
Gentlemen :
SUB JJICx : OHTBO&ilTKO-KIKIIOI .
Your favor or the ninth instant has
been received ..na laid before lir. Idison.
Ho requests us to say that v.c are antemplat-
inp an addition -o oux products of i-aranitro-
phenol, Or thonitro phenol, and Paruniico phenol,
but just at the moment v:o cannot say for sure
that we will do so. ..e will advise you later
on this subject.
Yours very truly,
lidison laboratory.
steel Cities Chemical Company
SULPHURIC ACID
Birmingham. Ala.. Peb . 14 , 19^M * ^
a*
£5 is on Laboratory,
Orange, Vi. 3.
/. i' V
/
— <T rtZ kP*
With apologies for delaying answer to you^
valued favor of the 1st inquiring for Sulphuric ^d djcup _
your benzol Plant at Woodward .
V/e beg to inquire what terra contract you would want
to make. We are supplying the Woodward Iron Co. on term
contract about one ton per day of 66 Be. Beaume Acid at
this time. is this about the quantity you would want?
We are very limited in what we have to offer.
Yours very^j
ires Chemical Co.
/ zfJ/lAA _ Brest.
/7 f^«%
fEMbtMHK ^<-W*
"ty»w,>j/<v/''./y,/ii*y. 1X2, St. James Street,
y/invU^/mm,-,
'" " ltir~fiir,/.
Montreal, Que.,
15th February 1916.
Thos . A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, Wew Jersey.
A
ling ou)5
,yH
Dear Sir:
Confirming out message of this date, we hog to
advise you that we ere preparing contract along the lines
discussed between yourself end Mr. Plummer.
Tinder the existing conditions.it will not be
possible for us to undertake shipment of more than 25,000
gallons monthly in all for your account, from now until the
end of the present year.
We hope that the documents which we are now
working on will be satisfactory, and in the meantime,
Yours faithfully,
McKesson & robbins
(V
f] ... e -> iun**. Cta-w,**
\ JLft-urw ** ‘-'i fs
February 1G , 1916.
%tE (\u* 3 ! K
Uli d *M';.
br (lv>^ v^Olc^
V/o have your favor of the 14tli and note that yot£
cannot guarantee to maintain the quality of the CHYSTAI
CARBOLIC ACID which you offer us on contract from I.Iay to ~
December. Kindly let us know if possible what you will guar¬
antee in regard to quality and oblige
Yours very truly,
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, If. J.
Gentl emen:
,70 V
.. Vl1
£V I
4 *" ,rV ^ “'-’I
L '< lC" : j* .
^'1 *. i11'' 1 <>
<VV‘‘ fn^a</Cr ^ /
4^ 1 /v1'
~^T
The Edison Portland Cement Company
STEWARTSVILLE, N. J. February 17, 1916.
Mr. Win. H. ITesdcwcrcft ,
Edlecn Laboratory,
Orange, II. J.
My dear Mr. Meadcworcft : -
I beg herewith tc hand ycu a letter
from Mr. Frank C. Roberta, which explains itself.
Please take the matter up with Mr.
Edison and write Mr. Heberts direct whatever Mr. Edison
cheeses tc say.
Ycurs very truly,
oiiko-c'V
PreBid^nti
WSM-RBS
EHCLOSUKE : -
7 <JLA^ ~
\Y-CTA
H.£> OJBdX*'
tZri
* CONCRETE FOR PERMANENCE \
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Philadelphia, pa . February 16, 1916.
MR. W. S. MALLORY,
College Hill,
Easton, Penna.
My dear Mr. Mallory
I am anxious to learn something of what you and
Mr. Edison think of- Mr. Leopold Barron, Vice-President
and General Manager of the Carbolite Chemical Company,
120 Broadway, Hew York, N. Y. I understand that Mr.
Barron claimB to be an expert on Coal Tar and its
derivatives and I am told that he states that he has
put up a plant for Mr. Edison.
One of my clients contemplates engaging the services
of an expert along this line and Mr. Barron has been
suggested. If you will be good enough to let me hear
from you in the matter, I will be extremely obliged.
With kind regardB , I am
■/''"""
//A //ts/Ah/f <r//f(fr*r.
Kj,U'(
tsS^aV^:
M
.fe
i i \
T~~J- \
^iSd&nsfl^nw'
February 17, 0/ . 6.1
i 1 5
4 Thomas A. -
^Orange, II . J.
t ^ 3 ■
4 Thomas A. Edison, Inc.
$4-< InTOTiM. IT. .T.
Attention of !.'.r. W. H. Meadowcrof t_._
1
>y
'5 3 Mr. Tatsumi telle me that you make in
^ ^ your Phenol Plant the following articles, as the inter-
Sj£ A'f mediate produo ts 5“
i 1, Soda Salt of Benzol Sulphuric Add.
3. Crushed Cake of Phenol Soda,
Will you kindly sell ue 300 to 300 poundB of
each of the above two for immediate shipment?
Will send your Mr. Meadoworoft the shipping
instructions an f
i as you advise me you oan spare.
Yours very truly.
o
)
ST:v0
WoojmvAui* IiiOA Compastt
IVOODWVRD.AlA. February 18, 1916.
Ilr. Chomas A. Edison,
Ur. II. F. I-Iiller, Secretary,
Or -.nge , II • J.
Dear Sir:-
\ie enclose herewith statement of account
sho~in«T shipments of benzol, toluol, etc. , for the months
of December' ana January aggregating *17,376.15. he also
enclose state; vent of your general account to January 31st
amounting to $11 ,841. 39. he enclose, also, expense bills
oaid for your account for November, December and January.
■Jo anticipate making some heavy payments on
obligations due about the 25th and make a special request
of you that you kindly let ub iiave your oneofc for all oi
the general account and December shipments of benzol, etc. ,
if possible, before that date, in order that v.e may ^mov;
lust what to expect. V/e will appreciate your writing us
by return mail whether or not you can forward us your
check for this amount. If there are any items on oho
bill for which you have not detailed charges please advise
us and we will forward sane promptly.
dew-g
F. W. Myers & Go.
CUSTOM HOUSE BROKERS
Forwarding and Insurance
AGENTS
U. S. llONDEI> CAMHEKS
uj jV'- 18, .19.16.
7-b'
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir: - -
Mr. He Baughton, of the Dominion Iron & Steel Co.,
telephoned me yesterday that the company had under oonsider-
ation a new contract with you for an additional supply oi
henzol ana asked whether or not a change in your contract
would effect the amount of duty assessed, and I told him that
so long as we were paying duty on the wholesale market value
the contract could not in any way affect such value; I inci¬
dentally inquired as to whether they were making sales for
consumption in Canada, and he stated that the amountB were
negligible and not in wholesale quantities, therefore it seems
to be proper to advance the invoice value to meet market
conditions in the United States, making proper deductions for
freight, duty and other nondutiable charges.
As you know, we have been making additions to your
invoices to make the price at Sydney 59-jbr, and so far our entries
have been passed at that valuation, but recently there was a
shipment of benzol from the Toronto Chemical Co. which was
entered at the port of Buffalo and the Local Appraiser advanced
value to 62 fa, based, as I understand it, opon the value of a
former shipment via Buffalo to New York for export to Genoa;
T. A. 1C. #2
I mentioned this ease to Ur. Mo Naughton and he tells me that Mr.
Plummer is the President of the Toronto Chemioal Co., which is,
no I understand, controlling the output of the Sault 8te Marie
plant, and that the price 62 iff was the deligered price at How York.
A request for reappraisement was filed in this case,
the matter came before thB U. S. General Appraiser ot Hew York
and when the case was called there was no appearance for the
importer, and as a matter of course, the advance made by the
Appraiser at Buffalo was sustained, and ns matters now stand
the records show a market value in Canada of 62^ in the month
of Hov. 1915.
It is advisable that you keep a very close watch on
' the market price in the United States, and advise us from time
to time, when there iB any material change in this price, so
that we may add or deduct, as the case may be, from the invoice
s price to make the actual market price.
Yours vciy truly,
/kle.i.4
February 19th. 1916
Mr. Edison:
AS per your directions, 1 have investigated the charges
against E. B. Badger A Sons Company for the changes v;hich were made
on the two Phenol Stills in order to make them work satisfactorily,
and have arrived at the following conclusions.
The charges due to changes on Carbolic Still in Ho . 1
plant as shown in Mr. Meadowcrof t ' s letter of January 19th are cor-
The charges on Still for Ho. 2 plant are correct with
the exception that one bill for copner pipe from Merchant & Evans
for $192.51 was included through a clerical error. 3y deducting
this we have the correct charge of $1,567.43.
When Stills were received they had each a fractionating
column and dephlegmator and condensor. after trying them out it
was found that the fractionating column was totally unfitted for
such work and it was discarded in both plants but before being
discarded, the column on Ho. 2 plant Still, however, had not been
provided with drips, these were later forwarded by Badger people.
Column was taken down and drips fitted in, later it was found
that these drips were not in correctly, then one of Badger's men
came and we supplied labor to take columns down again and refit
with d-flps, then it was found that the dephlegmator and column were
not necessary and that condensor was totally inadequate to do the
work required.
Then the condensor from Ho. 2 plant was sent to Ho. 1
plant, so it could be started in operation, and it was necessary
to provide an entirely new condensing apparatus for Ho. 2 Still.
Copper coils were purchased for this and a larger condensing sur¬
face was arranged for. A large copper pipe with connections to
the three new condensors was made and installed.
In addition to the above the bottles broke rapidly. These
had to be replaced by a different type brass bottle. It is very
evident that the Badger people were not familiar with the distilla¬
tion of Carbolic acid, for if they were, I cannot understand why
they should have provided the fractionating column dephlegmator,
and the very small condensor. As I understand the arrangement, the
Badger people were to furnish two Stills capable of producing 4,000
pounds each of pure Phenol per day. The Stills as received were
entirely unfitted for this work and it was necessary to make the
changes mentioned above and make them quick so as to start produc¬
tion.
It seems to me that these charges for labor and material
are a small part of the actual expense you were put to on account
. of the failure of the Badger people to furnish Stills in accordance
^^5 r>U/M
4.
i’urtiior with roferonco to bonsol sated ttod by hr.
A. Otto of .'ittoburgs
Mr. Otto, while advising that his peo.ilo would not
consider a contract for 191G only at any a-icc, new Offers
1,000,000 Gallons at GG^. j?it tsburyh, for delivery bcl'oro
SoptorAer 1, 1917, at the rate of anoroniiratcly 2,000 gal¬
lons icr day coi.t-encinG --ijril lot. I have stated to ..*»
Otto that if you aro interested in this we will coranunicate
with :
n$k
1U Mf-~ ^ ^frr
Let- ^
7.
OFFICES i
45 Park Place
NEW YORK
ST. LOUIS
MONTREAL
MERCK CO.
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS
NEW YORK, Feb. 21, 1916.
RAHWAY. N. J.
g/wfc/
Laboratory of Thos.A.Edison,
. Orange,
n 1$ i &
v
Gentlemen:-
Referring^ again to our recent correspondence
regarding PARAPHENYLEHEDI AMIHE , we regret to state that
the sample submitted has not met with the approval
of our Laboratories, inasmuch as it was very much
discolored and the form materially different from the
article formerly imported from Abroad.
In order that you may be familar with the
form and quality of our product, we will send you in the
course of a day or two a sample which we would ask you to
kindly examine and advise us at your convenience, if it would
be possible for you to supply a similar article.
Very truly yours,
MERCK & CO.
'
Feb . 22nd.
1916.
E. 3. Badger 1- Eons Company,
71 iitts Etreot,
Boston, Mass.
Gentlomen:
I am afraid you v.ill think we ;re
long winded in our investigation of the matter
of the two Carbolic Stills. It is almost un¬
necessary, 1 think, to toll you that we have
been very, vory busy, and it has been difficult
to get the time to investigate the matter.
,.t lust we arc ready to report to you,
and I enclose herewith copy of a report made to
Mr. lid i son by Mr. Mason, one of our en¬
gineers .
as this report is self-explanatory.
1 shall make no comment on it.
Yours vory truly.
Assistant to Mr. .Edison.
Enclosure .
Feb. 23rd. 1916.
Steel Cities Chemical Company,
Birmingham, Ala.
Gentlemen :
1 am in receipt of your favor of
the 14th instant, concerning Sulphuric Acid
for my Benzol Plant at V.oodward, ala.
Y.e only use a little over three-
quarters of a ton per day of 66° Baume Acid.
If it would be agreeable, I would like to con¬
tract at this rate for the remainder of the
present year, say from April 1st, provided,
of course, that a satisfactory price can be
quoted.
Awaiting the favor of your reply,
1 remain.
Yours very truly.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
/ ^
IRCHASINQ DEPARTMENT
February 24, 1916
Laboratory of Thos. A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
G e nt 1 err, en : Attention of Hr. Head ow croft.
We are in receipt of your letter of the 23rd instant
enclosing copy of letter received by you from Messrs. F. W.
Myers & Co. in the matter of the value at which your shipments
of benzol should be entered for customs purposes.
You wish to be advised whether you should instruct
Messrs. Myers & Co. to enter your importations of benzol at
the spot price or the contract price of benzol, stating that
the spot price at the present time is anywhere from 70/ to
90/ per gallon, whereas the highest price that you have paid
for benzol on time contract is 65/ per gallon.
The revenue laws of the United States provide that
duties roust be paid upon the usual wholesale selling price
in the market of the country of exportation (Canada), if such
market exists. From the statement made by the Dominion Iron
& Steel Co. to Mr. Myers, it would appear that there is at
present no market in Canada and that the sale to the Toronto
Chemical Co. was not a wholesale transaction.
Under these circumstances it would appear that this
particular provision of the Tariff Act would not govern and
i. 2- Lab. of T,
- 2/24/16
icourse must be had to the price at which such or similar im¬
ported benzol sells at wholesale in the markets of this country,
due allowance by deduction being made for duties, cost of trans¬
portation, insurance, and other necessary expenses from the
place of shipment to the place of delivery, and a profit not to
exceed 8 % and a reasonable allowance for general expenses not
to succeed Q%,
This provision of the law ha3 reference to spot prices,
and we think it would be well for you to advise liessrs. 3?. W.
Kyers & Co. at least weekly of the variations in the American
selling price of^ ^pot benzol, so that they may make the necessary
deductions allowed by the statute and enter your merchandise
accordingly.
We trust that the above answers your questions com¬
pletely, and remain
Jl’S/il
Very trui&r yours,
c •nfr+A.t H’
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
52-54-56 Lafayette Street
Newark, N.J. Feb. 25th, 1916.
liendowcroft,
c/o T. A. Edison,
Orange, II.
f
. X-txri T'^.f 1
Dear Sir:- <3-^ ‘Tf / -Vvc-C.^-
We are in receipt of a. letter from a customer
tc whom we sold 9900 lbs. of your Aniline Oil under date
of Jan. 17th, which reads as fcllows:-
"Y/e beg to advise that this oil, upon analysis
by Stillwell S. Gladding of New York, showed 60# water, which
our customer advises is unsatisfactory.
While this content is not generally cbj ecticndble
or unusual they advise that should they be obliged to adjust
the matter with their foreign buyers they will have to look
to us for settlement, in which case we, of course, jvlculcl
loot to your good selves for adjustment. " /
It is our opinion that the 60# mentioned above is
a tynogrnphical error and what they actunlly-cmean is 6#.
We are writing to find cut whether this is/so.
In the meantime, mny v/e ask, that you let us have
an expression of your opinion regarding this matter?
V7 • ir"
-vwu
Ur. Edison:
It looks to me as if it were going to be a pretty
stiff proposition to keep ?. Hr. iiyers & Company advised of the
American selling price of imported spot Bensol. I suppose the
only reliable place where we could obtain the information would
be the Custom House, but even thet would not be practicable, as
there are a great many ports of entry in the United States. I
don't suppose that the Treasury Department at Washington (which
controls the customs) would know promptly enough.
Even if Benr.ol were being imported , and even if we
could get the price promptly enough, it might be lower than the
market for spot American Benzol, and the United States appraiser
might raise the valuation on us on the basis of the market for
American Benzol.
~~ i will write Strauss & Hedges again, if you
approve, and put this up to them.
HRo.DOV.CHOET.
Strauss & Hedges,
IS Broadway,
Hew York City.
Gentlemen:
Referring to your favor of the E4th instant, lot ae say
that it it- going to be rather a difficult proposition to keep
v. . iiyers ' & Company advised of the American selling price of
imported spot Benzol. She difficulty would be to obtain the in¬
formation promptly, es there are a great many ports of entry in
the United States. X Euppose the information could be obtained
from the treasury Department at V.ashington, but I am Inclined to
think that this would be quite some time .after the importation
had been made, and, therefore, not sufficiently prompt for the
purpose. Y.e have no positive information of any Benzol being
imported into the United States, and doubt very much if there
is any appreciable quantity coming into the country, "he last
cuotation we heard for Benzol in .England was a low one, and if
the English Government would allow it to leave the country and
come ovor here, the price might be lower than the market for
..merican spot Benzol. If wo had made an entry on that basis,
the United States Appraiser might raise the valuation on the
basis of the market for American Benzol.
You will soe from the above where the difficulties lie,
and Hr. Edison will be very glad if you will kindly advise us
what will be the safe thing to do.
There is a car of Bonzol on the way to us now fromSydney,
Hova Scotia, so we must act rather promptly on our part.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
Will you kindly investigate this mattor aal let mo hoar
from you as early as losoiblo with roferenoo to the weight
of notorial returned and we will bo g lad to have proper credit
nomoroudum to adjust the situation.
Yours very truly,
snoiiis a. EDism, me. p
ACE .5. purchasing Agent.
Copy to Mr. Msadoworoft &
Mr. Kammerhoff.
Eastman Zoaak Company,
Eocheetcr, ±J. Y. Attention of Ur. Markus .
Gentlemen:
Your favor of the £3rd instant has
been received, and in reply v;o bog to say that
v.e can ..supply for prompt shipment ££5 pounds of
Carbolic Acid at £l.00 per pound.
Awaiting the favor of your order, we
Yours very truly,
Edison Laboratory.
PICATINNY ARSENAL,
DOVER. N. J.
February 28, 1915.
Thomas A. Edison,
New Jersey.
\ - ,-v\
Referring to your contract for furnishing this/
arsenal with 5417 pounds of Phenol per month; we
have recently received an inquiry as to the possibil¬
ity of increasing our output of the explosive of which
your phenol is a constituent material.
T/ill you kindly inform me whether the 44- is any
prospect of your being able to furnish an additional-
quantity of approximately 20,000 pounds per month, for
say one year. If there is any prospect/of your bding
in position to supply this quantity will you kindly
state about when delivery could be begun ami approx¬
imately what price per pound would be charged.
This inquiry is entirely tentative as no appro¬
priation has yet been made, and as certain propositions
contemplating alternative methods of producing the
Department's high explosives have been presented in such
a manner as to necessitate some comparative studies of
costa, as well as feasibility, before a decision as to
J. P. MORGAN & COMPANY
KXPORT DEPAHTMHXT
new york. February 28, 1916
Thomas A. Edi son. Esq.,
Orange, IT. J.
Dear Sir:
:ie have duly received your letter of February 22nd
in rcnrurd to the contract between yourself and TIis Britannic
Majesty's Government for the output of toluol from your- plant
at the Cambria Steel Company's works at Johnstown, Pa.
,7c do not understand your statornent that this con¬
tract expired on the 24th instant. It wug our understanding
from correspondence and conversations had with you on this sub¬
ject that the plant in question was not in operation until aftor
Pay 1st, 1915 , which understanding would seem to be confirmed
by your letter of August 13th, 1915 to Mr. Btettinius in which
you stated that your entire output until May 1st, 1916 was taken
under your contract with the British Government. 7/e shall be
glad also to receive further advices in the matter because our
records show that no deliveries were made under the contract
until late in Juno of last year and then only in small quanti¬
ties.
Awaiting further information from you in the matter,
STRAUSS & HEDGES i, (
,a
/February 28, 1916
\^L-7-x
. /(V-v
Laboratory of Thorns A. Edison, / \
Orange, H. J. /
Gentlemen: Attention/of l£r... \to^Ht.^ead«vc.ron
-ye are in receipt L your letter of the 26th instant,
and were today favored by a visit of Kr. John H. Myers with
whom we discussed in detail the bsnssol situation*
Frora all the facts that we have been able to adduce,
we feel quite confident that you are perfectly safe in con¬
tinuing to enter your benzol at the dutiable value of 59-l/2j/
as heretofore.
In the meantime lir. Myers will attempt to get further
detailed information from lir* Kcllaughton of the Dominion Iron
& iitesl Go, and will communicate 3uch facts to ub if, in his
judgment, the fact3 warrant any change in your present practice.
Very,j truly yours,
jfsA[ r> TM/yi
k ^>>v ^ .A'1'"' ^
TP
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ryt-vm \/
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A
•AiewcPi^S^
the
Dear Si]
Have entered a competitive contest with a papi
subject:" Can a permanently successful Dye Industry be establi
in the United
I would like very muclj/lJo get your ansr/erc on the following
questions: ’Vi 1 1 you continue to manufacture Carbolic acid afti
the^v/ar closos?Is/it cheaper to manufacture at home than to im-
port?Bo you beleive that a protective tariff of SC'jj ad valorem
and ?£ cents specific duties would compensate the country thru
the development of the coal tar industry enough to off set the
rise in the price of textilesTWill the home manufacture
intermediates as Phenol and Toluol furnish a stronger "c
preparedness for this nation in time of waryTould it be
economic measure to have these factories running in tin
as dye factories ?
Am enclosing stamp to cover reply .Thanking you in advance for
any favors you may show.
/ Ji
M
y
iii
4lf
«43
^fr
1st
f^s
tr*
|£$
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an j
: of peac..^
3 A
Yours truly, /
923 S iSanbom Ave.,
Mitchell,
S .Dak .
February &9th. 1916
x understand that tiro illnp i ep:-.rt- .G.'it v ill cone
under r Jurisdiction.
,.o have s; froi;uont interc.-u-.npo of j otters and no.no-
r&ndfi liOtv.ocji this, office and the he icon ...-omicnl . oikt. Car¬
bolic division, .uiiiiuo . lain am: . r.ouol : i. nt at . : liver
:.u..o . Jur nonortmda arc usually a tied a v in cnvelopm; ad¬
ore::; od 10 tUo propor • or;.o.u in those various dSvi;. lone and
tsl: nte . .no;; are then delivered to the failing- foi artnont for
0 ictr ■ butioa.
Iho delays in del Ivor ing those lot tore and no nor and a
have boeone singly cutrapooui . it ic no’., t&kin-- throe a ay a
to pot a -joinorandun from this offico to the . hencl or ..niii.’se
rlunte. ..e have narrov.ly oac&rod serious lots to tr. ilditoc by
reason of tnoce delaye. For instance, last Saturday i tent u
neraornadum of ins true tionc to the Jiiline lent, covering a
transaction niao suiting to over £tOG. .-it thie v.ritinp (11 o’clock
fuocday norninp / this mesaorandtua has not yet oooa rocoivod .
o.c. to hdison Choaical forks , Carbolic Division and .Jiilino Plant.
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Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
March
EVARTS-TREMAINE- FLICKER CO.
806-813 WILLIAMSON BLDG.
Globe Indemnity Comp;
l
Ur. Thomas A. Edison, Ii
Orange,
N. J.
Gentlemen:
We understand that you manufacture coal-tar crudes
and anilined dyes, and we presume that in the process of
manufacturing, you use a vessel known as a nitrator.
I / We are interested in nitrators from an insurance
J standpoint, and are anxious to know something about the
I hazards connected with the use of these nitrators. Insur-
\ I ance Companies generally look upon these nitrators as a
\ \ very hazardous proposition, but our personal views are
1 \ somewhat to the contrary.
We believe the serious explosions that have occurred
in connection with their use, have been largely from out¬
side causes rather than from inside. In other words have
you known of any of these nitrators to blow up, so to ppeak
from gases, or causes generated from coal-tar dye stuffs.
Any information that you might be able to give us on
the subject would be appreciated.
Yours very truly,
THE EVARTS-TRENAIRE-YLICKER CO .
JWH/DS
COPY.
Araerioan Oil & Supply Company,
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals,
52, 54, 56 Lafayette Street,
Newark, M. J., March 2nd. 1916.
Mr. Thos . A. Edison,
Orange, H. J.
Lear Sir:-
Eeferring to the delays in deliveries of Acids and other raw
materials since October of last year, v,e beg to say as follows:
As you are aware, there was a tremendous disturbance of the
capacity of the railroad to deliver freight during Uovember and Decemb¬
er, 1915, and also during the two months of this year. This was due
to the fact that the railroad lines were congested with freight that
could not be delivered because their terminal tracks were filled up
with an enormous number of oars containing war munitions and other
materials for export, which could not be discharged because of the
lack of ships to take them away.
This congestion has been so great during the last four months
that a great many of the railroad companies ere obliged to lay embar¬
goes and they would not receive freight at a great number of points
because they could not possibly make deliveries.
ThiB railroad congestion and these embargoes during the last
four months have seriously inconvenienced us and all other manufacturers,
all of whom were unable to obtain the raw materials necessary for the
manufacture of their various commodities.
Neither, you, nor we, nor any other manufacturer could posB-
ibly have done anything to make the conditions any better, and sub¬
sequently we have all had to suffer for the above reasons.
Yours very truly,
(signed) V.'m. P. Hoffman. Trees .
^ x • Q ^
o ^ J — - c — ** — \
A. M. Wood & Company, inc.
IRON AND STEEL SPC^
COMMERCIAL TRUST BUILDING “TcT
PHILADELPHIA
Maroh 3rd, 1916.
(K'
W. H. Meadowc r of t , E sq . \A ,{/ djk. ^ '
V \ r t d \
&V
Dear Ur. Meadowcroft:-
I beg to refer you to the conversation
had at your Office relative to your Residue from
Borings used in your Aniline Plant, and advise that we
have succeeded in inducing one of our good Furnace
friends to pay the freight on two or three cars. They
will payus nothing for the smudge, bht will take a
chance on the freight. We would suggest that you
order two battleship cars loaded at your earliest
convenience, and you may turn them over to the Agent
at Silver Lake, N.J., for disposal orders from us.
We have reason to believe that after
the Furnace tries out this smudge, that they will be
able to make a price on your entire production. They
inform us they have used the residue from some other
plant, but that the metallic iron bearing portion of
the material was insufficient to pay even the freight.
We think yours averages better; it is at least worth
a trial, and in view of having committed ourselves
in the premises, we trust this matter will have your
beet attention, and we now anticipate your advices when
it is possible for you to ship the oars.
With best regards and wishes,
Respectfully yours.
ajh/hes
* 0
of us
T. J. PARKER
CHEMICALS
100 WILLIAM STREET .
NEW YORK I
March 6 , 1916 .
Mr. William H. Meadowcroft,
C/o Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, XI. J.
Dear Mr. Meadoworoft:-
; Dr.' Nathan Sulz-r
A friend of mine,'
herger, who is a son of Sulzberger the padker, - v, .
skilled chemist, asks me to bring to the attention of ^ ,^«.o
Mr. Edison a method that he has devised for thetoroduo- €
tion of Metallic- Nickel in a finely divided condition jf ,
from its Salts, as for instance the Sulphate of Nickel.^ A,j
He uses Hydrazin. Hydrazin has ^
been suggested for this purpose by the German Chemist
Rasig, . and I am informed is very efficient.
Dr. Sulzberger’s invention applies
to the manufacture of Hydrazin, which he claims to be
able to manufacture very cheaply; in fact, at a nominal
cost.
If then the production of Metallic
Nickel from its Salts in a very finely divided condition
would interest Mr. Edison, I would like to tate it up
with you further. If not, please advise, and I will tell
Dr. Sulzberger.
FURTHER: Dr. Sulzberger states he
can prodxioe a mixture of Metallic Copper and Metallic
Nickel in this very finely divided condition, which may
also interest Mr. Edison.
Yours very truly,
TJR:CH.
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QtALti-f
Bloomfield, N.J.
March 8, 1916. £***«*.**
U«u ,«**'*rr TittZ'm, ToFg***
». *• Edison, Nffiilino DiHnlonJ .in* k,u,e,(t/
Gentleman: ^ ^ ^
producing o one ide^MqTant it ies of crude naphthalene,
and in view of yotfr r^atloj^>
you can tell ue tV 8114 “ S<\
through whom they Spring it.
If, however^" you oanjjot giv^s the desired /
information, plea^Hlo^ot^refer this inquiry to them.
With appre^tienfg^y^^ti^u ca^^
give us. and best w^Ta,
Very tiuly yours,
COHBSHSITE COMPANY OP AMERICA.
KB*PW ite”
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225-E
OFFICE OF NAVAL INSPECTOR OF POWDER, EAST COAST.
Post Office Bui Id ins .
Jersey City , N . J. ,
. MAR -8 1916
Subject: Phenol - method of packing.
Sir:-
1. When the Inspector last visited your Works, he found
the phenol, manufactured under Cont. Mo. 23233, for the Navy Depar
ment, packed and ready for shipment, except for the orating. In
other words, the drums were sealed.
2. The drums, here tof ore , have been sealed by soldering
nver the fillinp hole, in one end of the drum, a sheet metal disk.
The drums whic^the Inspector selected for sampling were so
^ his arrival, and were opened in his presence. Inspection showed
a few drops of solder in the phenol, under the filling hole, of each
of the cans which had been opened.
3. As the phenol is used for the manufacture of ammonium
nicrate . the Inspector considers the presence of solder in _ the phe¬
nol hiehlv objectionable, as this solder, composed partly of lead,
mav find its way to that stage of the manufacture in which picric/*-'
acid is produced. If such should happen, a oertain amount of^gcrht
would be formed, which is one of the mostsensitivepicrates, andas
you can readily understand, a very dangerous thing to have mixed up
with ammonium picrate.
4. In consultation with the Supt. , Mr. Kammerhoff, we de¬
cided that as the phenol existed in a hard crystalline formthatthe
only object of sealing the filling hole was to prevent foreign ma
te/getting into the drums, and that wooden plugsfirmlyahivenintOn^
the filling hole would answer the purpose quite as well as the g
al method of sealing. Mr. Kammerhoff agreed to seal the cans in this
manner in the future.
= fhe Insueotor has reported his action to the Bureau
holding him in this matter.
-2-
Hespeotfully,
1--H- •
Lieut. Comar. U.S.Navy,
Naval Inspector of Powder, E.C.
Mr. lvl.H. Hutchison, c/o
Laboratory of fhos.
Orange , N. J .
Eaison, Inc. ,
X
ALL COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO J-P. MORGAN & CO- EXPORT
J. P. MORGAN & COMPANY
KXPOHT OK I'ARTM KNT
March 8, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
Dear Sir:
We have your letter of March 2nd, and beg to state
that we are unable to accept as final the statements made
therein. From information that we ha«V received we were under
the impression that your plant was not in operation until
May, 1915, or later. Furthermore, at no time, so far as our
records show, did you deliver even approximately the amount
of toluol you agreed to deliver, namely, 320 gallons, more or
less, per day until an addition could be made to your plant,
and 480 gallons per day after such addition waB made, which
was expected to be about 40 days after March 1, 1915. As it
is necessary that we advise our principals fully concerning
the statue of this contract, we request you to give us at once
a detailed statement of the information and facte on which you
base your statement that the plant began operation on February
32, 1915, and also a statement of its full capacity at all times
during the time you consider it was being used for the purpose
of making toluol for the British Government. This statement
should give us sufficient facte as to the plant itself and the
number of men you had engaged in working In it, so that our
representatives can determine accurately both the capacity of
the plant and the extent to which the capacity was utilized.
Will you please give us also a statement of how much toluol
the plant can produce daily at the present time, so that we
may at the same time advise the Government at what rate you
could oontinue to make deliveries under the contract, and how
long itwould be before the total quantity which you agreed to
deliver might be delivered.
We talked this morning over the telephone with your
Assistant, Mr. Meadowcroft, asking that he arrange that either
you or himself come to see us, as in our opinion this would be
the easiest and best way from both your point of view and ours
of handling this situation. Mr. Meadowcroft at the time was
not disposed to adopt this course. If on reconsideration he
should be inclined ao to do, we would be very glad to see either
you or him.
Yours very truly.
March 10th. 1916.
Mr. Meadowcroft:
ANALYSTS OF IROH OXIDE OF ANILINE PLANT.
Moisture and organic matter 3.5
FeO 82.919
®l02O3 62.367
Fe 6.678
Insoluble 3 • 88
Total 99 .344
" Fe 68.113
JOHN V. MILLER.
.larch loth. It' 10.
Globe Indemnity Company,
Cleveland, Ohio.
Gentlemen :
I have received your favor of the
first instant, in v.hich you refer to the pro¬
cess of nitrating in the manufacture of .mi-
let me say in reply that I have
several chemical works, and that we have made
thousands of nitrations without any accident.
Yours very truly,
Hr. J. Hofmann, Secretary,
;-i. v.ood S; Company, lne . ,
Commercial Trust Building ,
Philadelphia, Pa.
hour tir. Hofmann:
Please excuse the delay in reply- .
lap to youi favor of the third instant con¬
cerning the residue from the Iron Borings
used in our ^niline Blunt, i'.iace I savr you
on the subject, there has oponoa up a possi¬
bility of utilising this Material for other
purposes, so I shall ue unable to ship you
the tv.o battleship cars at the present time.
It seems possible that wo may find a profit¬
able opportunity of utilizing this by-product.
Yours vory tiuly.
Assistant to :Jr. iidieon.
.
- *&- 6
Thomas A. Edison, Inc.,
Orange, N. J.
Attenti c n of Vr.
Dear Sir:-
We are in receipt of a letter from Germania
Hosiery Mills, copy of which* are enclosing herewith,
and which is self-explanatory.
We are simply transmitting the same over to
yon and will await your instruction.
Yours very truly.
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[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
COPY
MITSUI 8t Co., LTD.,
March 8, 191 6 „
IMPORTANT
We hsg to inform you that drum of Oil Ho. 713
containing 445 pounds of Aniline Oil was very unsatisfactory
It does the work all right hut the action of the chemicals
i3 altogether different. In my knowledge of dyeing it
must he the Cynate of Pottasium which reacts in oxidation,
and makes all hands sick. They are getting blue lips
and the eyes fall in and after a short time they have to
give up working on same. I thought I would let you know
in time as this is very dangerlous to the help and if it
should get out amongst Government Mill Inspectors in my
opinion they would get after me for using all these
ohemicals at onoe.
Your oil has been very good and have had no com¬
plaint before from the help.
Please let me know what you can do in the matter
by return of mail, and oblige,
Yours very truly,
(signed) Harry Saefeit.
TAKAM INj^JR.
l'hos. A. Edison,
urange, i
Dear Sir:-
fc\Ua.mine Laboratory (Inc.)
Equitable Building
_sVew ySrk~ - '
tf/s/
(L« ' V y*
of -V rtf /
■ ") \ f
g. meadowcroft
We have before us your letter of Sept. 27th, 1915
regarding Acetanilid. *ou stated at that time that you were not
in a position to quote on the article but felt you would be able
to supply the trade after January, 1916.
We would like to get your figure on a contract for one
ton per month for six months. ThejJ.S.f .^Crystal article is
preferrea.
Thanking you for a prompt reply, we remain,
Very truly yours,
COPY
CAMBHIA STEEL COMPANY
Office of the Comptroller
Johnstown, Pa. March 13th, 1916.
SUBJECT:- Sales - Shipments, Toluol.
Dear Sir:
In compliance with request contained in your letter of the
10th instant, we are pleased to advise that the following shipments
of Toluol were made from the Edison Benzol Plant at our works from
the Beginning up to the present time:-
Date of Shipment
6/18/15
7/29/
im
10/21/15
Sfijft*
Our Involoe 1
K-889
K-1068
K-1298
K-1332
K-1561
K-1914
K-2360
K-2760
K-171
No. of Gallons
2 916
2 867
2 542
3 664
3 192
4 406
4 936
4 026
28 572
Trusting this is the information you desire, we are
•Yours truly,
CAMBRIA STEEL COMPANY,
Comptroller.
To
Thomas A. Edison, Esquire,
Orange, N. J.
March I 4th. 1916
'lie should, havo larger deliveries of £-t'
Phenol from Mr. Kammerhoff in order that we may
carry a larger stock of Resin on hand. (T-,
At present vie have about 10 Runs ahead of
our requirements, hut this quantity does not give ,
us margin enough to make our Tests to determine jgf
whether the Resin can he used for Varnish.
V/e have approximately 17000 lbs. of Recovered
Phenol, which is now being tested and which if O.K.
will enable us to increase our Stock of Resin without
drawing on the phenol Plant for Hew Stock, but if it
is found unsuitable for the Manufacture of Varnish,
we may experience some dolay in obtaining the proper
Resin from the RunB on hand.
We should have at least 20 Runs on hand to
test to prevent any dolay, and as Mr. Kammerhoff
will not increase his deliveries without your sanction
I would recommend that he be authorized to deliver
10,000 lbs. of Phenol in excess of present deliveries ,
in order to give us a safe margin to work on.
• .. . uy x
.
,uuL . ^ VL4^
i,;srch 14 th. 1916
:.lr. Hmory:
zit various times v.o iiuvo had sample lots of crude Benzol
distilled by Ur. Hammerhoff in our 3cnzol ::tijl at tho Carbolic
Bivisi on.
V.hon crude Benzol is distilled, v.o obtain several other
products, such as Benzol Heads, Benzol i.osidue, Voluol Heads, etc.
"heso are adapted for use, for certain purposes, in place of Ben¬
zol, which is used by Hr. liehr in the manufacture of blue amberol
records, end by the Storapo Battery Company for various purposes.
I had samples sent to mo of the residues obtained by Hr.
Xammerhoff, end submitted them to Ur. iiehr and Ur. Bachman to see
if they couia use them. I'heee residues are as follows:
of material Brum no .
Benzol Hoads
Heavy distillate
Benzol residue
loluol heads
141
07
patents not lbs.
76b
Sotal lb:
1682
272
798
•:r. iiehr says that he can use drums *141, 07 and 26049.
:.!r. Bachman says that he can use tho other drums named in the list.
till you pleaso, therefore, have an order issued to Hr.
Xammerhoff to send up to Hr. iiehr drums 141, 07, and 26049, and to
ilr. Bachman on account of the liaison Storapo Battery Company drums
», 2997 », 3132B, 66 and 133. Vhose should bo billed at tho same
price as if they were 3enzol, which Ur. Kammorhoff is in the habit
of supplying to both divisions.
\V. ■!. UEaDOKCEOI'E.
Purchasing Service Department Memorandum No.
. , M'
iupp
March 14, 191G.
£•
Mr. Kammerhoff.
Hoforring to correspondence with Grasoelli Chemical
Co* in ro shipments of sulphuric acid., they claim that their chief
difficulty is caused ay delay of tonic carB in transit, and Mr.
Edison personally has written a memorandum on the subject today,
stating that wo have plenty of storage at our works and should be
able to release the empties at once.
Will you therefore please see that tame cars reaching you
are made empty at the oarllost possiblo moment, and in this con¬
nection it would bo interesting to know just the service we are
able to give in this regard so that 1 will bo in position to
assure Grassolli that their cars are handled immediately and
along definite lines.
A.C.E
Copy to Mr. T. A. Edison.
J
\lu * r
7
U - *
CC-Q-*d-&
CoNDENSITE COMPANY OF AMERICA
Bl,oomfield,N.J.
, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H. J.
Dear Sir:
We have made a thorough manufacturing test of
crude naphthalene and find that we cannot use it without
entailing a duplication of both chlorinating and distilling
processes, and this involves an expense and a reduced produc¬
tive capacity of our plant that makes the operation prohib¬
itive.
We are very much interested in learning that you are
\ turning out sublimed naphthalene at Woodward and expect to
ldo so at the Cambria plant. What arrangement could we make
-Iwijth you for a continuous supply of refined naphthalene? If
lyou have an excess production at Woodward for the sale of
Iwhioh you have not contracted, we might be able to handle it
jail or a considerable portion of it. If this is the case, wo
J would be glad to know how much you would be in a position to
offer from that point in monthly deliveries and over what
length of time and at what price you would contract.
We are just completing the enlargement of our
Wyandotte plant and will soon be in position to handle increased
quantities of naphthalene, so wiBh to close this matterup
at once if possible-, in fact we have a buyer on the road
now and for these reasons if this matter interests yon
would appreciate a reply at your earliest convenience.
Bhe writer will he glad to go over to Orange
if yon are prepared to make us a proposition.
Very truly yours,
COHDEHSITE COMPAHY 03? AMERICA.
President.
15 EAST TWELFTH STREET
V PHONE glfl, STUYVESANT NEAR FIFTH AVE.
N EW VO R K
March 15, 1916
,v„ y-"
'S~.
W R?G/IBS
Enel.
Rational Phonograph Company, [ »•
122 ’.Vest St. U 1
Rev/ York City. tc-
Gentlemen: *
Your favor of the 14th instant to hai ^
for which we thank you, and pursnant to your re
quest, vie are submitting herewith a sample of '
PAHAPEEHYLEIIEDIAMIHE
which vie offer to-day, subject to prior sale, at
§6.00 per pound, F. 0. B. our works, Harrison,
Hew Jerseyr_3e"'fc 10 days.
If you would be interested in a contract/
for a specified quantity, to be taken in regular /
monthly deliveries during a period of twelve months,
we should be pleased to take up with you the master
of contract.
The unsold portion of our output is limited ,
and we respectfully request that you inform us at once
if our product is of interest.
Awaiting your further' favors , we are
— — Very truly yours,
y- r/itt COLOURS C0:vH>AHY.
r
i.iarch 17, 1916.
I.ioadowcroft hao handed mo Mo romorandun to you of
Ucrch 17th with your notation thoroon with roforonco to cceept-
ir-K Ur. Dillon’ o proposal covering gilwauheo benzol at a price
of a.poroxiraatoly 67 l/4 cents delivered. lir. !.:eadov/croft too
aai.od no not to corruuicatn with £r. Dillon ao ho too covered
the oituation fully with Mm nnd I on thorofove depending
upon his statonor.t in tMs rogaid and awaiting receipt of formal
contract, which ho assures mo will bo forthcoming from ^r.
Dillon in duo couroo.
Juot as quickly ao the contract io at hand I will tala>
tho mttor up and I understand that this contract io to bo
oxooutod by you individually-
A.C.Emory.
ACS. 3.
MR 1°
Middlesex Chemical Company, Inc.
OFFICE OF WORKS MANAGER
VICTOR L. KING
CHESTER, CONN.
i, larch 17 , 1916
Thomas A. Edison, Inc.,
V/est Orange, IT. J.
Dear Mr. Meadov/croft ,-
I ■ have ton tons of spot Phenol for im¬
mediate delivery. I don't know whether Mr. Edison
runs snort or not, but if you would like to make an
offer for this Phenol I will be glad to receive your
wire .
With all personal regards to Mr. Edison and
yourself,
Yours very truly,
VLK/H
Clarence Dillon
Dear Mr. Edisi
I confirm sale to you as per my tele¬
phone conversation with Mr. Headowcraft on benzol as
follows:
On behalf of the Milwaukee Coke & Gas
Company 500 gallon3 Per day from May 15 to June 30
1915 at 0.70 per gallon fob Milwaukee.
The Milwaukee Coke a. Gas Co. will also
furnish you any spare benzol they may have from May
1st to May 15th, but they do not anticipate that they
will be able to furnish you anything like the full oOO
gallons per day for the first half of May.
On behalf of the Newport Hydro-carbon
Company of Milwaukee (this company is controlled by
the same people that control the Milwaukee Coke a Gas
Co. and the northwestern Iron Co.) 600 gallons of
benzol per day from July 1st 1916 to July 1st 1917 at
$.65 per gallon fob Canal Dover. This benzol is to be
produced by the coke ovens now being built by the d . H . _
Hanna Company at Canal Dover, and they estimate that this
benzol will be forthcoming some time in June. They have
told us that they feel very sure that they will be
producing and shipping by the first of July and probably
earlier.
You understand that the Newport Hydro-
■bon Co. have bought this benzol from M.H. Hanna & Co.
' axe now in turn selling it to you. The specifications
rthis benzol are just the same as on the benzol you
~ bought before from the Milwaukee Coke & Gas Co.
1 am sending a copy of this letter to
Milwaukee today and forms of contract will be received
due course, when I will send them to you.
Very truly yours,
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.
Orange, II. .T.
CD JS
.J. P. MORGAN & COMPANY
Qi^oC^L ttve<l<a3«, 'V^K. Ccw *'
CHrtrf e«££w ^jtp(»-bvv> t'iCs t
for your letter of jiarcti 18th and the in,-*-
rewith relative to your toluol contract
format ion ^^/the^^^e^^ve ?S rlcffc,
with the British Government. In order to give our principal-
o. complete record on this matter we should like inf ormationj>n^,„
two further points:
First: It will he necessary to verify the date on which
55; szsrr. sr.ir.ts jssrss ««*.
to indicate how it can he obtained.
Second: In connection with the statement in your letter
suffers jyjwHsjr&x as sa s £
sssnu. ....t
the amounts.
Thanking you in advance for giving us this information
at an early date, we are,
Yours very truly,
EXPORT DEPARTiCEliT ,
By
All
AGB/PJC ,
PICATINNY ARSENAL,
DOVER, N. J.
March 20th, 1916.
Thomas A. Edison,
Orance, N.J.
SUBJiET: Phenol Method
of Paclcing.
Sir:
Beplying to your letter of the 9th inBt. , we see
no objection to your proposal to use wooden plugs for
olosing the filling holes in phenol drums provided
these plugs could be kept in the holes. As the drums
are made of such li^vt weight material it would Beem
very unlikely that plugs oould be made to hold unless
a fastening strip of some sort were placed over them
to keep them in place.
Some time ago we complained of the expense of re¬
sealing and orating for return to you the galvanized
iron drums in which you have been delivering phenol
to this arsenal.
At that time you promised to look into the question
as to whether it was really profitable to have these
drums returned to you but no final reply was ever re¬
ceived in the matter.
The contract contemplated shipment in steel drums
with screw plug and requiring no orating, worth about
§10.00 each. Delivery in such drums would save us
considerable expense for re-sealing and crating.
Please advise whether we may scrap the galvanized
drums Instead of returning them, unless some more
simple way of olosing the hole can be devised.
March 28th. 1916
11., John i . Joyce,
It. Col., Jrd. Dept., U. S. a...
Command ing,
Pieatinny Arsenal,
Dover, il. J.
SUBJECT: Phonol Method of Packing.
Your favor of the 20th instant to Lir. Edison was received. He
is away in Florida on u fev; weeks vacation.
In the meantime, I can reply for him as ‘ I am familiar v ith
these matterB. In regard to the wooden plugs, our plant reports
that they have taken the danger of loss into consideration, and
that they can eafely ship the cans by leaving a slot in the top of
the crating v.here the plug is, and then cover that slot from above
by a piece of sheet tin which they will nail on the crating. This
would seem to bo in line with your suggestion.
You will be glad to learn that you need not return the gal¬
vanized iron drums to us any more. You may, therefore, put them
in the scrap heap.
The reason that wo have made ail shipments of Phenol in new
galvanized iron drums is because Mr. Edison was anxious to have
the material reach you with the least possible danger of contamina¬
tion. If tho ordinary steel drums with screw plug were used, they
would in time become more or less rusty inside* iir. Edison was,
therefore, willing to go to the extra expense of furnishing a new
package for each shipment.
Eospcct fully yours.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
March Hist. 19X6.
irr IS
Dominion Iron fc Steel Company
Sydney, Cape Proton,
Canada.
^ r^^riiX
-tr
Attention of
\6 <
■Uackeen.
ti t- W±C"av,'?“e't''
Gontlemen : ca ct' rn-c-O
Keferriug to our recent correspondence in- regard
to Uanhtheline , I would say that i.ir . Edison has left today
for a few weeks vacation in Florida. Before leaving, hey
wished me to write to you to ask how much of the crude Uiaph-
thulino you produced daily, and approximately how much you
have already on hand.
If you will kindly send this information, I will
submit it to him. He thinks he may be able to make some sug¬
gestions to you about refining it.
Yours very truly.
sistant to Mr. Edison.
. ..a
if ,iL>" ,.11" /
I.iaroh 21st. 1916.
Mr. V. 1. King,
C Middlesex Chemical Co. Inc.,
Chester, Conn.
Dear Ur. King:
Your fiwror of the 17th instant was received only
this morning, a few minutes before Ur. Edison left for
Florida for a few weeks vacation. I showed him the letter,
and he wished me to say that we are keopinr up with our con¬
tract requirements on phenol, and he would not be interested
in buying any spot stuff, although he wished me to express his
aivoreoiation of the courtesy in offering it.
Y.ith kind regards, I remain.
Yours very truly.
cch ii-iid ' 1 y 16
Takamine Laboratory, Inc.,
Enui table Building ,
Lev; York City.
Attention of lir. J. P. Kiddoll.
Gentlemen :
V.e must uek you to kindly pardon the de¬
lay in replying ic yiar favor of the Idih instant.
;,;r . Edison v,as "exceedingly busy prior to hie de¬
parture for "lor ids., but he tool: this <:o Lter up with
me just before he left.
He is ready to enter into a contract for
one (1) ton of ..cetsnilid per month for six (6)
months at tv.o dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per
pound y. o. 5. .7 i Ivor lake, ... J. 2Uo acetanilid
v.e could furnish would De equal to the sample for¬
warded to you this day by mail under depurate cover,
i'his quotation is made subject to prior sale.
Yours very truly.
assistant to hr. Edison.
A. M. Wood & Company, inc.
horus iron and steel
3!/ \A'^X ^
1W lAtm 2
%
,ci
<-Jl_4-vch
V.’m . fe. Ueadoworoft, Esq.,
c/o Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange, N. J U^£.
Bear Sir: |+- S<
In our travel- _
that one of the aniline people claim they are
reconcentrating the residue from borings afte:
ttoy u‘*1<£Xb «***
V.’e know nothing about this b
and simply offer yon, thaginf or mat 1m wa h
received. T$Zj &
These people use pulverized borings
100 and 300 mesh. They claim at a cost of about
?;5,00 oar ton they can reconcentrate the material
to make it oossible for reusing, and further they
are able to" continue this practice on the same loi
of residue so. that they caqiUS3_.it at least
times.
tUc- i
To be frank with you the
. . v _ _ rritar was
amazed to hear this, and as stated above we simply
give this for your inf or mi t ion.
ct Yours very truly,
A. M. u’OOC & COMPANY, Xno.
ajh'fcf
^ . -
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
' Silver Lake, II. J.,
• . • tsnr'ch 15th, 1916.
Hr. Meadov/croft : ;
He : CARBOLIC AOID FOR H. It. SQUIBB & .SOWS. .
Enclosed I bog to return tjio lettor from E. H. Squibb & Sons,
dated March 9th, to vhich I havo to moko the follov/ing remarks:
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
rrCfe. ^
— r0^1^ r t!tr
-Li d^fuSXrr-, W . ::
w«| Juc*u tT ^.btcc S|^
r%u-t>v •«*«*>.
■tu-tUO' ^
, „ ^r" ■ gffct^c .'w».« -Hf „ -
J ( & ȣ J*~k ' wS4*a*
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
E R:Squibb & Sons
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
GENERAL OFFICES 78 & 80 S3EEKMAN STREET, NEW YORK CITY.
CHEMICAL. 8c PHARMACEUTICAL. LABORATORIES . BROOKLYN, N.Y.
RESEARCH & BIOLOGICAL LAB ORATORIES , NEW BRUNSWICK . N. J.
t tsjjptik^yn He. rq£»*$th 19^
nv . ' u-q if/
Gentlemen:
V/e are sending you by Express three samples of liquefied
Carbolic Acid. This is Acid taken from the drums which you supply us,
and liquefied by heat and filtered, and then 10 ‘,i of water added to keep
the Acid in a liquid state. V/e find that when the Acid is first
melted it is cloudy, due we presume to the presence of a stannous salt,
after filtration it has the appearance of the sample marked Mo.l
At the end of a week it has begun to discolor - sample Mo. 2
and at the end of four weeks it has acquired qu:
V/e do not know whether your attention has been called to this before
but many of our customers complain of this coloration, and we would
like to know whether you could make any suggestion by which we might
prevent this, or whether you could supply us with Acid which would
not change so readily. V/e have never before had! any that assumed
this color although we have had Acid that turned pink on exposure.
VJhile for many purposes this coloration is not objectionable , still
where Pharmacists use it in dispensing presoriptions.it is so
regarded. Please let us hear from you at your convenience, and,-"
greatly oblige,, fry
Very truly yours y
i 4
TV.
bpe/h
Supt. E R Squibb & Sons
WESTEJjg|| UNION
nightwtter
RECEIVED AT 288 ,vl A I iM ST.
126 NY H 33 N£) RANGE, N.
SAN FRANCISCO CALIF MARCH 23-16
WILLIAM H MEAOOWCROFT
j <Do-m
CARE THOMAS A EDISON ORANGE Nd
WOULO LIKE TO OBTAIN PLANS FOR SYNTHETIC PHENOL PLANT
FROM BENZOL WILLING TO PAY REASONABLE PRICE URGENT FOR LOCAL
MEDICAL AND MANUFACTURING USES GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR KIND
WIRE *X. \\\ \ \
COOPERATION, ANSWER MY EXPENSE. ^ \ ^ ' V
mark wolfsohn n*' ^
'})V
'\W fa-*
t to
A
tO*
t -ii w
ll
r*:
i)i nf3
<
v.W ,ifl
iff'
Jtfjr $>-***
Bear lvlr. Edison;
,f [C. £«i_1916'
I went tYT j/P. Morgan & Company's place yesterday and had a
long talk with to. weems, who seems tb be taking the place of to. otet-
tinius in his absence. There was also present a to. Vought, who X pre¬
sume belongs to th^l^^rtment^rthe gjport
I started in at the beginning anaekplained how it was that j ,
vou were obliged to go into the Carbolic acid business and incident^, X
into the Bcnwol production business. I also related the history of the ^
noluoi contract from the very beginning, inthe same way that I related «
it in the long affidavit which I submitted to you a week or two ago . In
accordance with your wishes X went into the matter very carefully, and
gave them all the facts. ^
nvey began to ask questions as to how long it took to produce
Toluol, and I explained to them how in the beginning of operating a new
nlr-nt there was a great deal of preliminary work and that material was
necessarily accumulated slowly, especially as it had to be divided up
into Crude, 90%, the heads and tails of eacn distillation, ^nd the sub
sequent refining, with the heads and tails belongwcto them, etc., etc.
I also explained very carefully and fully how the figures of
ouantitv inserted in the original letter of agreement had really been
estimates on your part founded upon the figures given in the authentic
literature but that we subseauently found that the gases at Jonnstown
did not coAtain ihe Toluol you had figured on, and indeed that the Johns¬
town coal was abnormally low in volatility. ~11 this explanation -eemed
to clear up the atmosphere a great deal.
It was not long, however, before I began to find out just
v-here the land lay. In a“ nut-shell, the whole trouble is tnat the
British Government took the f iguresfwhich you gave in the third para¬
graph of the contracts literally and figured that they were going to get
^gallons Per ^y.4 begin with -d 480 gallons per day aft« the ad-
i get
oluol
into account that you only
after the plant was in opera-
320
the i° umber S^LysTin^thiTye^T and then crossed that quantity of
off their books /figuring that it would be provided by you. Ho one
there seemed to have had sense enough to taki
sold them the Toluol produced for on<
tion. It seems inconceivably stupid
Tho part that J. 1-. Morgan & Company feels sore about is Uiat
our total deliveries will be only about one-fifth the total quantity which
the British Government expected to receive from you, and “lie* %o
opinion that they, J. P. Morgan & Comr>any, aie being sharply called to
account by reason of this discrepancy.
to. Weems wanted to know if there aotuNsome th ing -we could
do to make the deliveries more nearly approximate,,^ British Gov< ernme: nt
expected. They spoke of to. Edison's boundless energy, resources .etc . ,
KTYSi not doatSat.thWhat°I ^d^^f/did
s^e^ija sssss.tfS'sa sffas rry i5.ress.ss this
Mr. Ed ison-
3/24/16.
w?ir?ot f°r4?n the -oluo1 produced by the plant for one year from
“p-° ,its operation, and that you "had governed yourself ac-
elT ' "e^£ returned to the subject repeatedly at different
see vhat1' oneeD,aflCfl«Cal«y the. sfie language each time, spying I did not
fnvnr+w i f,,'0!1? d?’ as y°u had Performed your part of the contract and
tbera the 2olu°14.£°:£ a ^ear' having considered the contract was mere-
H °-,t}-e5vv i.s.e ^you .had governed yourself accordingly.
Mr. teems was very reluctant to accept the position "in which
my words had placed the matter. Of course, X judged he was bright enough
'4af 1 “W but he did not say to, nor did he hint at it. He
asked me if I would not communicate with you, and see if you could not
devise some way in which something more could be '.'one for the British
Government. I said I would lay the matter before you, but of course could
hlE1 ”?y indication of what you might say. He intimated that
i'?u might devise some improved process of obtaining more Toluol
from tne plant, but I told him that the Toluol was not present in t>e
gases and that there was no hope in that direction. In a verv nice vav
ne declined to accept my statement as final, as I was not an Engineer. J
Tv hut 0Ui" c°uyersation I was observing every word most minute¬
ly, but tnere waf not a hint of any kind as to any legal uroceedings .
minds nothinF whatever to indicate that any such thing was in their
for tho Rr-it r y ?nS .thl-nF that 1 can think of that "e mi^t do
TonV,® or 1 ?h G°vernment • be nave contracted our Toluol up to f.iay 1st
foi7 iou v'iH sti]1 eight months of 1917 un-contracted
wiT^T ho o ovfuThe I"*8 °Ver l0"e beforo that, the British Government
will be probably stocking up again on Trinitrotoluol. As far as I con
see that is about the only thing we can do, that is, to let the 3ritish
Government have the Toluol from .May 1st, 1917 to December Slst 1917
noTnf? ,4 °oSee ^at sort of a trade Mitsui would make with than for
L f,ter Dacenihar -Mat, of this year, when their contract exoires
with the Hercules people.
mind -
I am enclosing the papers with which you can refresh your
certain things.
Enclosures .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Feb.
3, 1915.
Hie Britannic Majesty's Government,
Dear
Sirs :
I am now erecting at the Cambria Steel Company's works
at Johnstown, Pennsylvania", a plant for absorbing Benaol and Tol-
uol from the gases of the Coke ovens there, which plant, it is
expected, will be in operation about March 1st, 1915.
I hereby agree to sell the whole of the Toluol of 98 °/o
purity produced from this plant, for a period of one year after
the plant is in operation at fifty-five (55) cents per United
States Gallon, 1'. 0. B. Hew York City; same to be shipped in steel
drums, and drums to be charged for at actual cost to me. Ship¬
ments ;.o be made weekly or monthly at the option of the buyer.
Payments are to be made on presentation of shipping biMs from
works .
His Britannic Majesty's Government by J. P. Morgan & Co.
Agents, Agrees to accept and pay for the whole of the Toluol shipped
from such plant to them for a period of one year after plant is in
operation, such shipments to be 320 gallons, more or less, per day
until an addition:.can be made to the plant; which addition is ejec¬
ted to be in operation in about forty (40 ) days after March 1st, 1915.
Such addition will increase the output of Toluol from said plant to
480 gallons rer day, more or less, this also, they, the Said His
Majesty's British Government by J. P. Morgan & Co. Agents hereby
agrees to take at said price during the said one year period , sub¬
ject to inspection and test.
Yours very truly,
(signed) Thos. a. Edison.
The Above is the substance
of the arrangement made
between Mr. Edison and
Mr. Herbert lewis.
(signed) Wm. H. Meadowcroft,
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
J. P. Morgan & Company
EXPOKT DEPaRTMEMT
23 Wall Street,
Hew York, Pet. 6th, 1915.
Thomas A. Edison, Esq.,
Orange , H . J .
Dear Sir:
iieceipt of your letter of February 3rd, 1915, covering
sale of Toluol to the British Government, is acknowledged.
The proposal you make therein is hereby accepted, with
the following conditions, to wit:-
It is understood that the inspection and acceptance of
the product shall be by representatives of the British Government,
and that the amount of Toluol , - the subject of this contract, -
shall not exceed eight hundred (800) tons in all.
It is also understood that the notation in your letter
with respect to Mr. lewis is a matter with which v.e have no
concern, but that the price you mention is net to the undersigned,
kindly confirm the foregoing.
Yours very truly,
(signed )HIS BKITAHHIC MAJESTY'S GOVEHNMEIIT.
by J. P. Morgan & Co.
aGEHTS .
EBEN T. TAKAMINE
. \ Takeomne LeJjorntory (Inc.) /J‘ [).t0
Ob' Equitable Buildinc,
J ® <_v\W York — > _ _ — ""
PARTMwri^ , March 24, 10 1C.
4~m «*
fajfyiexetms&rx. < •
.« IOV„ 12T
•t.-r havinrt talked withJ;;r. 3d i son, yon.. have eo«*
^ i«*lU
:r Month for six motors at $2.00 per SilV°^ ^
ike, :i. J. ev''“ *"'*
3iat this price ja^ay
,na consideration. V/c have hem uhle to rejjflire-
:8 of Acetone lid at $1.05 for a certain aM«6&^*eh
;h hut as we need a larrer quantity we v;oro compelled
j y\w^k
«/|< 7 iaj-M <5VC'' 1,’arah 25th. 1916.
.'Dear a.^laW w ^ ~
I hove tea egrapired ;/ou today asking you to please defer answering
jny firEt note uboutiJ. P: Horgan & Company until you receive my^leiter
of today on
Tinea eriVl^: my note yesterday/on this subject I have been think¬
ing that perhaps you would like to have mo refresh your memory as to.
what Toluol we "have on h£gid, and what oj*r obMgoitpns yte . . „ - ■
fJobf p t*><X ^*x.Cu^ fe
At the present tiifie we huvfe c fn hand aboup .43,000 gallons
. of pure Toluol. Of this ’ >^y
y There belongs to British Sovernmnt^^i^SQZ ^
fold Mitsui, to be delivered ..priJgagSfr^r^BO 11,662
Surplus on hand - 3,438
V.e also have on hand enough crude and washed Toluol to make six or
seven thousand gaj Ions more.
Our contract with the DuPont people calls for deliveries beginning
in .May. Y,e can still figure on our production of Toluol for a few more
days in March and for the entire month of ..pril, so let us see how we
would stand May 1st, and still he very conservative in our estimate.
Surplus on hand, as above, 3,438 gallons
j,pril production, 140 gallons
per day 4,200 "
Available for sale May 1st 7 , 638 "
lou will notice that in the above calculation I have taken no account
whatever of the crude and washed Toluol on hand, from which we will un¬
doubtedly get six or seven thousand gallons more, but I figured to apply
that on Dupont's liny delivery, if necessary.
The net result of the above is that after providing liberally for our
May delivery to Dupont, and after deducting the 6,382 gallons we have on
hand for Horgan and the 5,180 gallons we have on hand for Mitsui, you
would still have for sale. Hay 1st, 7,638 gallons.
1,'ow I do not know how liberal you want to be in dealing with J. P.
Morgan & Company. I threw out a suggestion in my letter to you of yester¬
day as to letting them have some after May let next year when our
Dupont contract expires. If you want to be liberal with the British
Government, we could still stand on our contract that they have had what
their contract called for, namely, our Toluol for one year, but if you
are so minded, you could let them have an additional 5,000 gallons at the
same price, 55^ on a written understanding that this 1 ,000 gallons does
not apply on the contract, but is voluntarily offered by you in view of
the mutual disappointment as to the quantity of Toluol which you had ex¬
pected to furnish end which they had expected to receive.
As I stated to you in my letter of yesterday, I did not come out open¬
ly and say to J. I-. Horgan & Company that you had contracted your Toluol.
I foresaw that probably another interview would be necessary before we
could close the matter up, and, therefore, thought it best to lay the
matter before you first. I do not think it would be well to make any offer
whatever in writing.
I shall await your instructions.
March 25th. 1916.
Mr. Edison;
Referring to the attached letter let me say that we
rent eight acid cars from the German American Car Company. It
would seem from this that the lease of six of these cars ex¬
pires in I, lay .
We now have six acid cars in the Chamber Acid sarvice,
running between Silver lake and Charleston. 1. C . Ihere are tv.o
of these cars filled with Chamber Acid on the way up
lake, and four are on the way down o Charleston. I think theie
is on-'y one carload more of Chamber Acid due us under the con¬
tract with the South Carolina people. You will undoubted ..y le-
member that this contract for Chamber Acid is made by Ur. Hoff¬
man for us. I called them up today, and they were not ~ure out
that there was one more car due to us. However that may_be. tne
fact remains that when we have received back tne .our cars that
no„- on the way to Charleston for Cnamoer ~eid, v.e shan not
be sending them back again. This would, therefore, leave us wit I
.. - -i-t ucia cars on hand before May 1st.
these si
Besides these we have two other German ..meric an Acid
cars, whose leases expire later on in the year, to also Have two
acid cars that belong to you. These are the two that *r. Il0“m£,n
bought for you and that you paid for with Phenol. ..s we
plenty of tank capacity fo/acid now. I. do not see why we shouid_
t-1C%a?ntE leespeec?IuXu SSSdef- tot'uiS have jumped the '
. , ^ - **--> +~ ^604 per month.
^your ins tractions .
VC 2fC~ 4z-
e
ct*-<CC ^^4
~~~
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
The German American Car Company
Thomas A. Edison Inc., New York, March 24th, 1915.
Orange, N. J.
Mr. Y7m. H. Meadow croft. Asst.
Confirming our this morning's conversation wish to remind
you that your present lease on the sid (6) Acid^cars, numbers
GATX 8060 to 8065, expires in May, and r-
whether you widi to renew it.
: should like to know
As you of course realize, the demand for Acid cars is
even greater now than it was some months ago, and there is
practically no supply at all to meet it. Moreover, the price
of new cars has increased over 39$ since we built these car3
for you.
On the very few cars we have had available recently we have
been getting ’40 a month for three-year leases, $50 for two
years, and "60 for one year.
If you wish to retain these six cars in your service and
will make a new lease for a period of three years we will be
willing to continue them at the same rate of $30 a month. 7/e
want you to realize that this is a considerable reduction from
the rates we are asking at the present time. If you cannot see
your way clear to making a lease for three years we will let
you have the cars for two years at the rate of " ”
or for one year at the rate of 50, a month.
We hope you will be able to let us know promptly if you
wish to retain these cars as we are obliged to turn down
inquiries every day on account of not having cars avaiiaDie
with which to meet them.
BE: EL
Tut-
HU
ML*.
&>ncj •mt-a-
<Ho yU <La £eU- «s A c^L If- c^f-e^-Ja^2-<> , £a=a*f*4
A. L£Ct**_ S&ctJ ya-ti if Po
jy. (Pa^/u..
(Zol2)
Oj0_^tflc4 CUfi
f*-
tyl&xJhx^r*
JIU ~~ M u=^U U~ y~ J ’l° ‘“'f
WT 3'-^-
-Wy^f p«f*
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
(PciAj^.
> , > ' ' r
>;S' ft
>< J ,r 1
l'1 <?£.“**. (
k\> \ * s'S/^
1 , -ft /e? \
sv;spnTier3>feKat you intend
/ \ kiT '
to t a’^e-jin tljc. -rfanuf ac tin
take the liberty of ^Sking you v.'hother prooessess for the manufsotui
-"fanufactu
rty of s^ki
of colors taken frop my experience would be of interest to you
/
I am c
As to my person I beg to state tho following:
i Swiss , Chemical Engineer of the Federal Poly tech¬
nical School of /Zurich and Fh. I>. of tho University of Zurich.
j After having occupied the position of first
chemist with the Usines d\; Rhono at La Blaine, near Geneva, which
firm manuffictured Aniline £ Resorcino colors I became connected for
forteen years with the french works of the Badische Aniline £ Soda
Fabrik in the capacity of technical Uanager.
On tho onclosed list you will find all oolor
and intermediate products regarding which I have practical experience
and which experience I have written down in the for^pfu-directions.
These directions fare draYm-nip i$‘<|uch a way
as to leave no doubt rogarding its finalvoutcomo and, any^phemist ,
who has had a technical instruction and trafnihg^is, on tTid strength
of these precise communications !
rm.-rajfteriais, course-' of
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
manufacture , output to bo obtained, mixture, cost price, etc...
in a position to erect and conduct tho manufacture of suoh
colors on a profitable basis.
As the manufacture of colors in the united
States of America has become a vital question and the next Congro
-.vill undoubtedly protect tho chemical industry in tho United
Statos through high tariffs 3 think that among this list you will
find vj-.rep.t many products which should be of interest to you.
I am always at your disposal to furnish you
with further details and awaiting your further news,
I remain, dear Sirs
Yours truly
Hqf erencos :
American Consulate General Zurich
3wiG3 Credit Anstnlt Zurich
Address :
Uuo du highi 47
Zurich.
"witzerland.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Oouloura d ' Aniline .
Bleu raothylcno B.
" " BG1.
Violet crintallisd
Violet \ l'iithylo
Violet aloalin
Vert malachite
Vort hrillant
Vort aoide
Aur amino 0
Fluorecceine
tJrythrosine
Jaune naphtol 3
Jaurie soliae
iiouge solidc A
.1 ..
" D
i.oir brillnnt
Fuohcine 3
Bleu toluidino
Bleu victoria jJ
" ” 4 .1
i-onoean 3!i
Bleu aootine is
Sosine
Bose Bor. gale
Orange IX
" IV
l’hloxino
Krythrino 3 ii
Tartrazine
i yrnmine Orange
ifoir direct au soufro
Blou Kiarin
Bleu de Ail
Blou do lsuit
Bhodamir.e B extra
6 0 -®
Sauna dc ■ uinolfiino
Violet an Flcthylo B extr
Bleu indoine
" " B
Azoflavino :!
" & ii
Xnranitranilino
Jaune mot anil
( Jmmedialnoir )
Dlnitroao iieaoroino ( Vert do .-.useie )
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
•liatt&i-os procures.
Acido Bayer
,\cide Schaffer
;\oido :t
Acids G
Aoids gnlliQUO
Acids naphtioninue
Acide oulfnnilinuo
Acids phonylhydrasinosulf or.i quo
Ami do o soh on zo 1
imidonBOhenzolauli'oool
Bcnzuldehyde
si on zylo thy 1 aniline
Chlorothyl
Chlormcthyl
Dianisidins
Dimethyl oni line
Diethylaniline
Dioxy tartrate de soude
Uuile pour rouge txirc
Ilitrophenol, Ortho et Para
Orthonitronnisol
Orthoanisidine
Paraamidohonsal aldehyde
Aoaoroino
auinaldine
Vie are in receipt of a copy of a letter which you
sent to our Cleveland Office dated March 10th in reference
to the process of nitrating in the manufacture of Aniline
Oil &c., and v/e wish to advise that we have had several re¬
quests for insurance on nitrators, hut we had to refuse on
account of the unknown hazard attached to the °P?ration of
said nitrators. Vie are very anxious to get further informa
tion in reference to their manufacture, construction and
operation, and if as you say, you are operating nitrators
at vour nlant, our Superintendent, Engineer and the writer
would esteem it a favor if you would allow us to visit your
works and examine the operation of your nitrators.
2?,„, tiffin
'o/r/t, <_ '/ yfr//rtr/r
S/j',5 &srorf.e/ft:wy'
A*,,,'*/,,,'/
Edison Chemical Works,
A
Jhemicai worms , , / /
31l”r “;"i.
Gentlemen: ,$£&+'">* W,~—'p'A’
I take the liberty of j^ritjUg yag-^at
of the directors of a large phenol producing plant
lULJut-*^ GLent*^*’™ — 1 |
March 87, 1916.
cdlte-d
, •*_ SLt-*-
irresponsihTjT'war brokers huvejbe§n acting <^Uhout
authority, i am informed, in making largo <H}ff^rings of^>/nol
and picric acid at prices much below the market , why
disturbed conditions here, resulting in largo moneys
the various plants producing these products.
It has been proposed to hold a conference in Hew
York for the discussion of business conditions in this indus¬
try and so far as we are legally entitled to act more °r less
in co-operation to remedy the bad state of affairs. Prom an
investigation made by me covering a period of several months,
I feel that a substantial betterment can bo made in the trade.
Would it be possible to have some one representing
your plant attend a preliminary conference to be held in this
city within the next week?
Thanking you in advance for a reply by wire or
letter, I remain.
Yours very truly.
ERiSqjjibb & Sons , Newark
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 1858
27th, 1916.
Hr. V/ra. II. Headowcrof t ,
Hr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, II. J.
Dear Hr. Meadower oft
I have your very interesting letter
of the 24th instant, and congratulate Hr. Edison upon his
success in devising the improved process for the production
of a pure Phenol. The samples ITos. 359, 560, 361 and 362
will at once upon receipt ho examined, and X will send you
the report our control laboratory will make concerning the
same. Hoanv/hilo, I hope you will lot us have of this pure
acid all that you can give us.
TV/: He I;
March 20th- 1916.
Mr. ornery:
Juet before Mr. Edit; on left I discuseod with him the ques¬
tion of Benzol for all our plants, and v.e wore both aware that it
might be possible that we should occasionally be obliged to purchase
come spot Benzol in order to koop tho plants running. rJhis is on
uc count of the railway congestion end embargoes. Mr. Edison told
mo I should have to act according to my best judgment on that point,
and only to purchase if it uecamo absolutoly necessary to keep the
plants running .
fhis emergency arose today, -nd fortunately I was sole to
find through tho American Oil fc Sunply Company a moderate quantity
of Benzol which they have been trucking over for us today. I asKod
thorn to get me 15 drums if possible, but will not know until to¬
morrow just how much they have been able to get.
This would not put us out of danger, so I purchased a car¬
load (2,000 gallons) of pure Benzol, Barrett Specifications . from
aerman & Herman. Inc., 165 Broadway, llev: fork City, at 85^ per gal¬
lon, . 0. B. Philadelphia. Chey are making rush shipmont of this
today, i'his is in drums, and tho drums will he charged extra, but
credited on return. ,iil you kindly issue a requisition for this,
in accordance with Mr. Edison's desires.
V,. H. MEADOT. CROFT.
March 28th. 191
Glooe Indemnity Company,
45 William Ctreot,
Hew York City. Attention of Mr . lurnbull
Gentlemen:
Your favor of the 27th instant in reference to
the process of nitrating in the manufacture of aniline
Oil, etc., has been received.
Your request for permission for your Superin¬
tendent, jSnpinoer and yourself to visit our plant is noted.
IJr. Edison has strictly prohibited the admission of visitors
to our Silver lake Works, and in his absence I shall be un¬
able to comply v.ith your request. However, I will send down
your letter to him in Florida and upon receipt of his reply
will advise you further.
Yours very truly.
assistant
Edison.
Y/e will be Interested in knowing the detail
of your prooosal, meanwhile.
\yufU-^ ^
)w
,ATo
a
jni
Cv-uuJ. |5-*-4 0-"J- -u^>
T^« ^a*|
fe Um " rf " / — it <2 1;
**-■> j..,, (0- s« < ^ j ,Uc,uh
f tm. *r ("“ri
Yours faithfully,
. 0 / y'ly ' t
isslst. General Sales 4&ent.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
ipril 12th. 1916.
borainioii Iron £ Steel Company,
: ydney.
Capo i’.rcton,
Canada .
.-.t tent ion of i.lr, iiackeen.
Gentlemen :
referring to your favor of the 26tli
ultimo in regard to naphtha lino, 1 t mo cay that
X sent your letter dov.ri to LIr . hdison, who is at
present in Florida.
I have received a memorandum from him
this morning asking me to communicato v.ith you
and say that hn his return to the laboratory he
"ill make you a proposition on this product.
Yours very truly.
resistant
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
V
56,
2 ^ (• C iil-j o. 6(r |trr' (Cx She. }le'-flCtuc.C+i~
s? — l y.
|tv2* tl> l ICjtW K<S-j} ^
“t" I WfrcM ■«*
U>ttX. av\ u» ,|or cw< lf
cAJrUsU, *3 ' I
(Rf tff W- . J/. a. Vfl
ftlUu 2/pvC A
^ CC*Rv «w£ ./g (IVf ^
sJsect L-O-f. Ktrv,c ?. <s- jaX«.^
lcU*x~7>> — r^- 7s?1
V^" ’
<Q,L03~«M.
Clarence Dillon
f
O—t* T cLer-Jx ^'jS^axc$i'B?‘
bVl/vv
V^VL <&cx3Ff±}
Xc-fW- O^ U-O&TTU**#
Y©* J
sc*
:.c -<
«x
f"
5
4,
;<AH2~ ia-XW t
enclosing herewith contrac
f%jC. • '“«raef!
covering your last purchases a&fcenzo
\\<-e^-‘ <?s-C X\j&rt
The Milwaukee Coke & Gas Co. author- /}
ize me to advise Mr. Edison that they shall try '•J
to give him an additional 500 gallons Hay 1st
to May 15th, but that they cannot assume a
Mi-ite gljgjusg. ri wfot , cs, c ttS Itee
I notice that* these contracts through £'-
an oversight were not..-executed in Milwaukee, f ce~
so if you will please execute all copies and
return them to me I shall send them on to
Milwaukee where they will iie executed and one *
copy of each sent direct to you. ^ y ■ /? „
cefc, — I
With kind personal regards , I jam \
Very truly yours, j
V/m. H. Meadowcrof t,
Orange, K.J.
rt’oi M^,up' 2 tfutrac/J
*7 /<-!• «/ /
AJ ('fCkj, //tpjc /
fiir
* / A .i < fn U/k^i -
■“ /•'
' re-
^ y;«n.
Esq .
Mar oh 28, 193-6*
Thomas Edison, Ino.
Orange
New Jersey. '
Gentlemen:
Vie are greatly in need of the
following chemicals: ortho, meta, and para -
nitro-aniline, and v;e would appreciate it
greatly if it would he possible for you to
help us out in the matter of supplying these
special chemicals. We would like to secure
about one or two kilos of each or any of them.
You can readily understand how difficult it is
for us to obtain such chemicals in the regular
way at the present time, and that these chemi¬
cals are to be used for purposes of bo lent if io
investigations only at the Institute here.
Yours truly
THE ROCKEFELLER INSTITUTE
FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH.
Purchasing Agemt.
J&Zry
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS1 ASSOCIATION
/
OF THE UNITED STATES.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY.
905 EXCHANGE B’LD’G, BOSTON.
Thomas A. Eaisi
Mar. 28, 1918 .
V
Inc. ,
Orange, N. J.
¥/
7
w L
1
Your name lias teen suggested for membership in
the Manufacturing Chemists Association of the United States.
This suggestion has been made owing to the very active interest
villi oil the Association is now taking in the so called dye stuff
situation.
There are approximately 40 of the leading chemical
manufacturers of the country in the membership now. The annual
dues are $75 and the initiation fee 1b $50.
May I ask if you would care to join?
Should you care for further particulars, you can
inquire of the General Chemical Company, the Barrett Manufactur¬
ing Company, Schoellkopf, Hartford & Hanna, the National Aniline
Company or the Benzol Products Co.
Should you care to know more in detail as to the
very active work which the Association is now pursuing in order
to secure some form of relief for the so called dye stuff situa¬
tion, I will be glad to communicate with you further.
Very truly yours,
A H.
Itoroh 29th. 1916
T.'.c rockefeller Institute for i’ccionl research,
66th troot and Avonuo a,
:.ev. York City.
Attention of Ur. Chas. 3. rales.
Gentlemen:
Your favor of tno 26th instant hus been re¬
ceived . i.e regret very much that v.e snail be unable to
supply you with either ortho, meta or raranitroaniline .
2he uestion of manufacturing these chemicals came
up many months ago, and ill’, iidison decided that ho would
be unable to go into tho manufacture of them.
v,e aro making Paraphenylenec iaraine , and could
supply you with this chomicnl in moderate quantities
at •''4.60 per pound. ..o aro sending a sample by this mail.
As to the other chemicals about which you in¬
quire, you might communicate with tho American Gil &
Supply Company, C2 Lafayotto Stre t, .lewark, ii. J. They
may bo able to supply you, or if not, they could get
them for you.
ioure very truly,
iidison laboratory.
William H. Scheel,
b*
MERCHANT,
9 MAIDEN LANE AND
7 FLETCHER STREET.
Ur. Thomas A. Kdi*
a9«i. i9i5> rf
U. jjc* c~~ <L— ^
oe=ttu> -
v* '
■. m Ur. \7m. Ho udowcroft^
Hew Jersey.
Dear Sir:-
V/ith reference to fcatdieeiwa Chloride would
ouy that our producers no-.v advise that the grading of Which we
submitted a sample run s/3 5™Hugne slum Chloride. It is the medium
grading and suitable for use by manufacturers of flooring mater¬
ial. However the producers are enabled to match any grading or
quality or specifications and will be glad to have state just what
the r equir emeu tp 'and they will make up a sample for us. The var¬
ious gradings run from the cheapest quality for technical uses
up to the Chemically Pure. V/e trust that your Hr. Heudowcroft
will puss the particulars to ~r . Haison tor uo.oiuCi..t.ion und u
statement be given to us as to your actual requirements. V/e
are prepared to handle any proposition you may present to us.
Yours truly,
a
TjfiMA'LxsJL
' / /" ■
f
GlIL-aJK
March 30th. 1916,
howling:
This memorandum is simjly for you to koap as a rocord of
tne transaction which it covers.
On last r unday night your plant v.as running ontirol y out
of ^oazol. ,.e had seven cars coming towards us on the railroad, hut
finding that there was viO prospect of any delivery for two or throe
days. I authorized .Mr. Kammorhoff to loun you 2lu0 gallons out of •
tank car which ne had received two days before.
as there was no probability of our getting in any of our
tank care before today (Thursday), 1 realized th. t if . o drew ny
further on Mr. Xaamerhoffe supply that such supply would be ex¬
hausted in less than two days, and both plants would have to shut
down. Therefore, on Tuesday morning, I amanaged to cocure from the
..morienn Oil & Supply Company, It drums of Benzol for immediate de¬
livery. These were sent ovor uy truck ut once by tho ..moricun Oil
& Supply Company, giving your plant sufficient to run until yester¬
day morning.
.although stronuous endeavors wero made by Mr. Kogers to
secure delivery of a tank car of Benzol, it v.as found impossible
to get u car yesterday.
I again annealed to Mr. Hoffman of the .i-norican Oil &
£ unply Company, asking him if he could help us out by immediate
delivery of lb ®ore drums, iio said he would borrow It drums of
Benzol from one of his customers, and truck it right over 10 ub,
and v.e could re-fill tho drums out of tho first cur wo received and
send thorn sack- -his bridged ovor until today, iir. Kogors assures
mo that u cur of Benzol from Cydnoy is coming up from Jersey City
and will be at Silver Luke before 12 o'clock noon.
ii. MEADOV/CEOFT.
>VoomvAiM) luox Comwr
1V()OI)’H'AKl),AlA. March 31. 191
i
Wo are in recall* of Mr. Meadowcroft *s letter of the 27th
and note that you have sold, another oarload of flaked, naphthaline
for April delivery at 11^ per pound. We also note that you can sell
a second oar for May shipment at lljtf per pound.
It is our belief that by spraying the sides of the sublim-
j ing building we can maintain our produotion as this ought to keep the
metal lining of the building sufficiently oool. V/e are making the
| necessary arrangements to experiment along these lines.
V/e note that the prices quoted above are f. 0. b. Newark,
H. J. , subject to 1^ discount for cash.
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
April
April l8t* 1916.
Br. lillliam Xnecht.
Sue du r.ighi 47,
.Zurich, Switzerland.
Bear Sir:
I have just rocoivod a memorandum from Mr. Jidison,
to whom I sent youi letter of the seventh ultimo.
He wishes me to say to you that he does not intend
to go into the manufacture of aniline colors, but ho is now
making Baraphenylenediamine, and would bo willing -o puy
for a cheaper process than he is now uting.'
At the present time he makes Faraphenylonodi&mine
by nitrating ..cetanilid and then reducing by iron, but this
is a very expensive process because of the high cost of Glacial
..eetic Acid here et tho present lime.
lours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison,
Keith Car Company,
Peoples Gas Juilaing,
Chicago, Ill.
Gentlomen:
I bog to confirm tho following telegram, which was
sent to you this morning :
"i,lr . Edison v. ishes to renev. leases
on all tank cars mentioned in your
recent letters for one year. Ploase
send leases for signature. Can you
lease ouo additional car, and how
quick : "
I have received word from ilr . Edison stating that
he wishes to renew the leases for one year, of all the tank
cars mentioned in your recent letters. Hence the above tele¬
gram .
I truet you will bo able to rent ue one more car to
put in our Jenzol service.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to iir. Edison,
<yu
v
_,0^
Lpril 3rd .^L916.
You undoubtedly remember the fact that our friend Mullaly
made a few Aniline contracts for us last y^ar, and you allowed him
a commission of bfo.
Xmong these contracts were thos^nade with American Print¬
ing Company and Hollander which ran to the end of last year. We re¬
newed with these two concerns ourselves for the year 1916, the Amer¬
ican Printing Company taking 8,000 pounds of Aniline Oil per month
at 60 if, and Hollander 6,000 pounds of Aniline Salt per month at 8 bf.
I told Mullaly that as we had taken this renewed business we could
no/ allow him commission- He feels, however, (that as these customers
came to us original^ through him, we ought to conform to the useage of
the trade and allow him a 1# brokerage, and he asked me to lay this
/matter before you and get your decision.
/ When Mr. Hoffman was in this morning I thought I would ask
I him as to what would be customary in a case like this. I stated the
facts to him, without using any names whatever, and asked him what he
would tie iu such a case. He said that while there was no legal liab¬
ility, there was good moral ground for allowing it, and if it happened
with his concern he would allow a 1# brokerage without hesitation.
He thought the man, whoever he was, was very moderate in asking only
IJS.
\ Mullaly has been very useful to us on several occasions,
^nd is alwayB willing to put himself out to get information for us.
What do you wish to do in the matter?
MEADOW CROFT .
Tit'
April 3, 1916.
Answering your wire regarding the carload
of Magnesite. CaXaiti^d .
Our lip. Hyatt has been in California for the
past two weeks aid will return to Chicago on Thursday
of this week. Immediately on his return vie will ad¬
vise you definitely as to the shipment of your car.
V/e regret very much that this has been so
delayed, but we viere advised by viire a few days ago
by Mr. Hyatt that the rains were still very severe
and this has held up the erection, of . the plant. Vie
are of the opinion from what information we have, that
it will be tvio or three weeks at least before your
shipment can move.
V/e certainly regret this very much, but have
done everything in our power to try to hurry things
,.pril 4th. 1916,
Ur. Kammorhoff :
I have received your memorandum of tho 29th ultimo In v hlch you state that
you are required 10 give a dally report shoving the orders for imro Phenol that
you huvo on hand, and nov; orders rooolvod.
So far us the month of March Is eoncornod, you already havo tho figuros
for Monsanto und tho 72,000 pound order for Mitsui 1 Company. ,.s to Monsanto,
that was finished in March, ana as to Mitsui : Company, I undorstand you ox-
poet to finieh this ordor during the present week. V.ill you now plouso ontor
tlio following as orders to bo fillod by your plant;
i. Pica t in.. y „rsonal, 1,417 pounds every 50 dayo until
..pril, 1917. j.rico i6? por pound.
S. United . totes liavy, lfc.88:. pounds por month until
April, 1917. rrico bG? por pound.
3. h. h. sauibb f.onc, 2l>0 pounds por working day
( instead of 200 poimdcj until tho ond of t o your
1916. rrico 77 l/2 ? Pcr pound.
4. inoraas ... Edison, Inc., lax Plant, 2,1.43 pounds
ovory day., (including Sundays ) until further ora ora .
?rico as usual.
L. Mitsui E conmany (a now ordor j 154,400 pounds, to
bo shi a cod in ooual monthly shipments, ..niil. May,
Juno and July, 1916. i’or tno information of your
hilling So pertinent lot mo say that this is to bo
billed to Mitsui & Company at 76? per pound , and
accompanying each bill is to go a crodit memorandum
in favor of Mitsui « Company for 6(f por pound. rhis
makes tho not price received by us from Mit.ui Sc
Company 7,j? por noun; , but shipments arc to bo
billed in accordance with tho abova instructions.
*
6. .-.morican Oil tc Supply i orapany , 1,286 pounds per day
(including r.undays), /.pril let to Pocomber 51st,
1916. Frioo 72. 6? por pound.
7. i-.obort *. LOEior, 1,000 pounds por woek until Uo-
combor 51st, 1916. -rico 80? jor pound.
/ 8. j. .. . Catkins Modicul company, i inonu, Minn., 300
V pounds por month from ..pril to Leoembor, 1916.
Price 8b? por pound.
/ 9. J. :.. catkins .iodical. company, Mow Xorfc City, 100
V pounds por month up to tho ond of tno your 1916.
Price 8b? J<or pound.
, 10. stroaon-hotttor Hancock, Inc., Chicago, 800 pounds
por month also to tho ond of tho your, rrico Ob?
per pound .
For our mutual Information havo figurod out tho ubovo ordorB on daily
April 4, 1916.
Ur. W. P. Dowling,
Division Manager,
Aniline & Phenol Plants
of T. A. K. Personal,
Silver Lake, N. J. :
Answering your letter of Uaroh 22nd
with reference to the advisability of cancelling certain
Shop Orders, we have gone into this matter with the
results shown below.
You suggest the cancellation of the
following Shop Orders:
#3870 covering labor and material of constructing
the Aniline Plant;
#3871 covering labor and material of constructing
the Phenol Plant;
#3970 covering labor and material covering repairs
to machinery and equipment Aniline Plant;
#3986 covering labor and material covering repairs
to machinery and equipment Phenol Plant;
#4042 covering labor and material operating manufacturing
expense items Aniline Plant;
#4043 oovering labor and material operating manufacturing
expense items Phenol Plant;
We have arranged to close out Shop
Order #3870.
Shop Order #3871 will have to remain
open for the present, as there is still work being done on
tho Phenol Plant.
We have arranged to olose.out Shop
Order #3970, #3986, #4042 and #4043.
In aooordanoo with our conversation,
you will in future send us separate orders for any work to
ho done which heretofore has been covered by Shop Orders
Hos. 3970, 3986, 4042 and 4043, suoh orders automatically
to he closed when the work on them has been completed.
We asked you somo days ago to send us
orders to take tho plaoe of some of those oanoelled as^ ^
follows, which orders you have
we would he glad to have you at
may be properly distributed:
nou yev sene ub, muuu
^6noe, so that our charges
First Order:
Second "
Thifd "
Fourth "
-2-
Experimontal Work Anilino Plant;
" " Phenol "
Selling and Administration Expense at
Laboratory Aniline Plant;
Selling and Administration Expense at
Laboratory Phenol Plant.
We are transferring to your Pay-Holi
Chauffeur Fontzlaff, who has previously been on our Pay-Roll
here, and whoso time has been charged equally to the Aniline
and Phenol Divisions.
You state in your letter "In the course
of my investigation I have found that the Laboratory and the
other Works in the immediate vicinity and the employees
attached thoreto are fully conversant with the numbers of
our Shop Orders, and charge a portion of their time to them,
although they render us no service." While every effort is
exercised here at the Laboratory to see that time and labor
is properly charged to the various Shop Ordors, it is
possible that with these blanket orders there has been at
times some abuse such as you mention. Under the plan laid
out abovo however, this should be overcome.
Secretarial Service Dept.
of Thomas A^ Edison, Personal
Assistant Secretary.
C.C, to Messrs. I.iambert a H. F. Miller.
HWK/liH
: \f\ F. Kuendig
CHfMICAL-TECHNIC
~n
h,XJ_x ^rvCW \tfallisellen, 6/4/16*, «
imlcal Walliseltan (S
Tolophono Nr. 2€
/
!^-u
iomas A. Edison
\Xr% too-oi
Ur^ ( _ .
vvvtVo to.ccT«-v"
.son Inc . ChomicalJ|Vp:
Jr
. c i******#^ ■
irmtfc. %*~*‘** f 4
CL.^> ^ W<U-f
w
i position to supply you w
rational processes
facture of pharmaceutical preparations, intermediate products and
'••WtAfe-f LO-fe. uf-<fci.tll7
dyes, and beg to enclose grou a list of same. (
manufacture , and have been managed by our
. takon from the .wholesale
■r ,
r own experts a' long time,
so that you may be assured, and undertake the manufacture without
any farther thing, according with our processes and drawings.
Please let us know for which processes you are in¬
terested, so that we may give you more details about.
With interst we are looking forward to your kind
reply, and beg to remain, dear Sirs,
Yours, faithfully,
Ch
'Fr. F. Kuendig
Technic
T#
Yet**
wrc
j, ,
ifa cf
/r
“"■“ty
Ixrt
StxJU? 0 ?**%.
' r '
Lm*-
THE J. R. WATKINS MEDICAL CO.
WINONA, MINNESOTA, U.S.A. April 6, 1916.
L a^o
Thos . A. Edison Laboratory,
Orange, N. J.
Gentlemen:
V/iiat would be your price on 400 lbs. of
U. 3. P. Carbolic Acid Crystals to be taken out
each month for a period of six months, and £
your price on 300 lbs. a monthlfor a pgj
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_ WBSTE jjjf UNION
MlGfr^STTER-”
SHNl) .k» UI...1..J Ni(ht nfi-T ■rt‘j--* .« Ih« term.. Orange, 11 .J. April 8th. 1916.
Thomas A. Edison,
Port Myers, Fla.
Wrote Thursday about Magnesite. Here is later information. School has
on dock fifty tons Grecian powdered calcined. Contains 90 to 92 per
cent Oxide Magnesia and one and half per cent lime. Remainder alumina
Price 96 to 100 dollars ton. On account great demand instant action nec¬
essary if you want it. Ab to Chloride Magnesium Scheel can get two
three weeks from Eastern manufacturer any grade you speoify. Price sixty
five to hundred ten dollars ton according to purity. Scheel does not know
analysis ohloride he supplied last summer.
MEADOW CROFT.
yC ^r&co ' Csi_ G_ ^sssxl^La —
CUsl £_ O-uJ &-J* fy^L&UjLAtAl^ ^ ^UsL^Zk SSS m,j
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(f£Lrt~ 9- A^hxs ^ o^l. luCzz^j-^d) S>J^c,
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(y^s. §£js>C* XUc.y^ &LsL^^x_ ^
st*s*se- /oC^cL aCa-> 'XZ'Cc Qn^zzcy.
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■ffcCirr
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
WASH I NOTON
Aoril 8. 1916.
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Eait Orange,
Hew Jersey.
Dear 5Jr. Edison:
The Geological Survey is compiling statistics
of the by-product coke industry, and has been informed by the
Cambria Steel Company that for a statement of the production
of benzol, toluol, solvent naphtha, and naphthalene , and the
value of the products, at the Edison Plant at Johnstown, Pa.,
application should be made to you. A blank for the desired
data is inclosed herewith, and an envelope for its return
which requires no stamp. Information of this character is
held strictly confidential hy the Survey, only totals for
the United States, and their values, being published.
INCDOSURES (3)
April 10th. 1916
Mr. Edison:
I do not want to trouble you with one thing more
than I can possibly help, but think that you would perhaps
be interested in seeing this letter.
I received your telegram to buy 25 tons of Cal¬
cined Grecian Magnesite, powdered, and had Sbheel on the
telephone long before nine o'clock this morning. The 26
tons are bought and will be shipped out to Silver lake
within the next day or two. I presume you have instructed
Mason about how to use it.
■\5&
Enclosure.
;ipril 10th. 1916.
Mr. Brady:
V.111 you. y.loaeo issuo an ordor on I’liomas ...
,;dison Ho. & Phenol Plant. Silver Lake, for the follow,
ing:
10 gallons Benzol
20 pounds Phenol.
•Xiioeo are to be delivered to :.ir. .rid rows in
the Chemical i.oom. hero at the laboratory, and those
materials are to bo usod in tho manufacture of Para-
amido Phenol. Hr. Ldison instructed Mr. »ndrewe to
manufacture this material in u small way during his
absence, und these su-. plies :ro to he charged to 413b,
W. H. UBADlTiCaom.
to Mr. Xollow.
ril 11th. 1916.
ii1. B-wling:
l understand from Ur. Barton of tho Carbolic Llvieion
that tho Carbolic euppllod to Mitcui & i.omi any from Mr. K a minor -
hoff’e Plant ie billod to your 1 ivioion, end in turn billed by
you at tho eamo price to illteui & Company.
I had not boon adviBod of thie practice until thio morn¬
ing. However, this iu not uuid by v;ay of criticism, nor h'.vo 1
any fault to find with the arrongomont.
Tho purpooo of thie note if. to udvleo you that Ur. /.ara-
morhoff 'o .plant ie about to commence making deliveries on new
contract with Mitsui & Company for 134,400 pounds, to oo ohi pod
in monthly ehlpmonte during .,pril( May , June and. July, 1916.
?or the information of your Billing Department let mo cry that
thie Carbolic ie to bo billed to Uiteul & Company at 76<[ por pound,
und accompanying oach bill it to ro a crodit memorandum in favor
of i.iitcui v Company for 6 4 por pound, .'hie makes the not price
received by ue from Ulteui h Com; any 70 4 per pound , but thii monte
must poeitively bo billed in accordanoo with tho above inetrue-
tionr, , vhich aro part of tho conditions of our contract with Jiit-
euit Company.
in order that thoro shall be no mleundorutundingo up¬
on tho rocordo, Mr. Kummorhoffe plant will bill tne ehipraonte
to you at 76^ por pound, and accompanying each oill with u robe to
for 6 if por pound. X have telephoned to Ur. Burton to t.iic effect
and have cant him a copy of thie .oraorundura.
U J. ilii-.DOV.CKOFT •
april 11th. 1916.
Mr. V,. S. Cui'pc-ter , Jr.,
Assistant Director,
Development Department,
K. I. Du Po-.t De ..eraours A- Co..
V. ilmington , Del.
Dear Mr. Carpenter:
Mr. Edison has an idea thut probably
your Company may havo some’ Mixed Acids to contract
out for the year 1917. If that is to, can you say
at this time whether you will be open to eup-ly say
330 tons a month for the year, and if so at wnat
price. Our formula is as follows:
59.00$ H2SO4
26.27;* HH03
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison,
April nth. 1916
Ur. J. A. Durkin^, Vice President,
Butterv.orth-Judson Company,
61 nail Stroet,
Hew York City.
Dear Ur. Durkin:
Mr. Edison v.ould like tj know if you are pre¬
pared to /consider a renewal o i our Mixed Acid contract
for the year 191Y. If eo, will you kindly let me know
what is the hect you can do on the matter of price.
He has sent me up a memorandum from Florida ask¬
ing me to collect all this information for him so that it
will he ready upon his return.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
^pril 11th. 1916.
Philip Smith, Acting Director,
Department of the Interior,
United States Geological survey.
Dear : ir :
Your favor of the eighth instant to Mr. Edison
has been received this morning- IIo is away on a few weeks
vacationin Florida, and we do not expect him to return un¬
til the first week of llay.
We are sending him as little mail as possible,
as he was very much in need of rest, having hod no vacation
for nearly two years- be will get the data together and
have it ready for him by the time he returns, so that he may
write you in person, if it will not then be too late.
I assume from your letter that the value of the
products is to bo the valuo at the works , not the selling
price.
yours vory truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
AB'THUB All, SOB DiiUHEH
19 Cedar Street,
Iiow York.
L- -
April 11, 1916.
ThomaB A. Edison, Esq.,
i.est Orange,
ilev; Jersey.
Dear Lir:-
On behalf of Col. John 1. Davis I beg to
advise you that Mr. Davis i: interested in the contract
between yourself and Herbert Lewis of this city for the
sale of a certain quantity of toluol by you to the Mritish
Government through J. Morgan A Co. of this city.
That Mr. Davis has a contract with Mr. Lewis wherein the
latter agrees that Mr. Davis is entitled to and shall
receive :: certain percentage of the commissions due
Mr. Lewis under your contract with him.
I m informed that under sai:d contract Hr. Lewis
has already boen paid by you between fourteen nd fifteen
hundred dollars, no part of which air. Lewis has paid
to Col. David under his contract with Col. Davis. I uIbo
understand that an assignment of Hr. Lowis' commission
to 'the Equitable Trust Company has been served upon ..nd
accepted by you, which sr.ic assignment was made subsequent
to the time of ,ir. Lewis' contract with Hr. Davis and
in which Hr. Davis did not join.
3y reason of the above facts, 1 desire to notify
you, on behalf of Hr. Davis, not to pay -my ..r tiler
commission to cither Mr. Lewis or hit > . signoo or a; eigneoB
on account of your said contract with him without the
consent of Mr- Davie, his. ar.Bignoo or nominoac ; otherwise
we shall be compelled to hold your company personally
liable for ;!r. Duvis' interest in eaid contract.
I would really appreciate your acknowledging
receipt of this let tor.
Vory truly yours,
(signed) k. Vv . Donnon.
ADD /ME,
IUZUIRIES FUR .MiH.IUE OIL
r
ii ■ if
American Ribbon Carbon Co. Eochoetoi-, ii.Y. March lb, 1916-— unknown.
Ebb ox Lubber Comouny, lno. Trenton, ii.J. March 21 , 1916 - 300 gallons.
Edgortyn Company', lno . 26 Pine I t. i.ow York City-Fob. 28, 1916—300 tons.
H. . Forbes £ Co. 18 Broadway, i!ew York City, March 27, 1916 — unknown.
High Point Hosiery Mills, High Point, R. C.- Fob. 26— one ton por month.
McLaughlin Oormley king Co. 1 Platt St. ii.Y.C. -Jan. 29, 1916-100 gallons.
Orion knitting ilillc, Kinston, il . C. March 29, 1916- ono drum.
; trosen-Keuter 2- Hancock, lno. Chicago, Ill. 1,000 pounds.
T. r. "odd 1: Co. 42 Broadway, new Y.rlc City, Fob. 24, 1916— unknown.
\ hittakor Co. 2bG Front St. .low York City-March 6,1916-bto 10 barrels.
Blagdon, V.augh Y Co.4Lloyd’s ,.vo. I.ondon, S.C. England. Doc. 29, 1915 .unknown.
Crov.n Hosiery Mills, High mint, J.C. Bov. 26, 1916, ono drum.
Droxel Knitting Mills, Droxcl, II. C. Doc. 20, 1915-Bix drums.
Dr. C. De Felice, 590 E. 187th St. Dow York City-liov .8 , 1915- unknown.
Parker, 5 teams . Co. Brooklyn, ii.Y. Dec. 17, 191b- 1,000. pounds.
r. Street cc Company, Inc. 641 ... Washington St. Chicago, Ill. 2,000 pounds |
Sociedad Gonoral De Eeprosentac iones, 30 Church St. li .Y.C oc .It ,1915 .24tons
.w. y.atterei Co. Inc. 1182 Broadway, ii .Y.C.-llov.lO,1916 . unknown.
York ’Knitting Mi 11b , York. Pa. Feb. 10, 1916. -Unknown.
IH UIKIES FOE CARBOLIC ACID.
Eastman Kodak Co. :,ochestcr, E.Y. March 21, 1916. - 6,000 to 10,000 pounds.
S. .. Jacobson Co. Ino. 217 Mercer St. ii .Y .C .-March c4, 1916-100 lbs. month.
Moone Chemical Co. Eochester.ilY. -March 28, 1916.-600 lbs. to 1000 lbs.
American Trading Co.263road St. Ii.Y.C. -Jan. 26, 1916.— unknown.
3eavor Mfg. Co. Andovor .Mass .- Uarchl4 , 1916 . -500 to 1,000 lbs. por month.
Belleville ...ctal & Chemical Co. Belleville, iJ.J. Jon. 28, 1916. --one hundred lbs
Biehols f Tochow,98Maiden Lane, ii. Y.C. -Jan. 11, 1916. 2,000 to 3,000 lbs.
G. Gonnort, 24 East 15th St. ii.Y.C. Feb. 2, 1916. unknown.
Stanley Jordan c: Co. 116 Broad St. ii.Y.C. Jan. 21. 1916. *
Meyer Brothors Drug. Co. St. Louie, Mo. March 7, 1916. 1.000 to ; 2,000 . ibs.
Monarch Paste Co. 331 Mortimer St. Buffalo, It.Y. March 2nd, 1916-^.0 lb. lots.
Poorloss Mfg. Co. 36 BromtHiold St. Boston, Masse March 9, 1916- unknown.
Synthetic Chemical Co. Inc. 2403 Singer 31dg. IJ.Y.C. Feb. 1,1916. unknown.
Talcott Chemioal Co. iiapa, Cal. Fob. 14, 1916. unknown. .
Tumor « Hefler, Hyde Park, Mass. Jan. 15, 1916-100 pound lots.
The i.hite Tar Co. 103 John St. ii.Y.C. -Feb. lb, 1916. 260 tons.
IUCUIRIES FOE PitRiirHEliYLEUKDlAMIiiE
“• /.tteaux Djostuff * Ohe.lo.l Co. Ltd.^colbo™,
Boston Blacking Co. East Cambridge, Mass. Sopt. 16, 1916- unknown.
F. Bredt & Co. 240 V.ater St. ii.Y.C. Uov. 13, 1916 , unknown.
Baohineier & Co. Underhill Bldg. ii.Y. Sopt. 27, 1916.- unknown.
5he Brunsene Co. ^Bbury Park, li.J. Sept. 27, 1915. — cb to 100 lbs.
Chomioal Dye Mfg. Co. 822 Carloton Bldg. St. Louis, Mo. March 9,1916.3,000 lbB
Eisnor-Mendolson Co. 90 West St. Ii.Y.C. Sopt. 16, 1915— unknown.
French Steam Dye works, 49 Circle, Ind.idnapolis , Ind. Deo. 6, 19 lb -unknown.
James *. Cray, 12b blast 46th St. ii.Y.C. Sept. £9, 1916— unknown,
s imon Herzig Sons Co. 48 V.est 26th St. D.Y..C. Ilov.9, 1916— unknown.
International Chemical & Munition Co. 7(0 Devonshire St. 3oeton, Msbb .
uct. 6, 1916—26 to 60 lb. lote .
George E. Keith Co. Cumpollo, Mass. Ilo.v. 16, 1916 — unknown.
Kalle Color & Chemical Co. Inc. 630 Canal St. II - Y . C . Oct. 4, 1916- unknown.
Irving 6. Levy, 467 16th St. Brooklyn,. ii.Y.- Sept. 22, 1916 — unknown.
Dr. Leo. ;,lannheimer-v The Jewish Community of Ii.Y.C., 366 Second ..venue,
Dew York City. — thounBand lb. lots.
Arthur D. ilosworthy, 375 Fulton St. Brooklyn, D .Y. March 16, 1916 .-unknown.
Omnicolor Co. £02 E.29th St. ii.Y.C.- Dec. 16, 1915— Unknown.
'.. . U. Parsons , 17 Charles St. II.Y.C. -Dec. 14, 1916— unknown.
E. J. Portner, 102 ... Mahhattan .we. Jersey City Heights, II. J. Oct. i. , 1916
100- to 200 pounds.
E. E. Street & Co. Inc. 641: Washington St. Chicago, Ill. Dec. 17, 1916.
three thounsand pounds .
F. ... Thompson & Co. Detroit, liich. Fob. 14, 1916. unknown.
John C. i.iarda 6 Co. Brooklyn, II. Y. -Sept. 14, 1915. unknonn.
J. D. williams, Inc. 267 V.yckoff St. Brooklyn.Ii.Y. Ilov/ 16, 1916. unknown.
iVhittomore Bros. Corp. 60 Albany St. Cambridge, Mass. Oct. 14, 1915-unknown
Secretary of the Treasury,
Washington, D. C.
S I St¬
ar. Edison v.ishes .e to ascertain what, if any,
duty is payable on crude nunlithaline und sublimed
naphthaline coming from Canada to this Country.
Awaiting the favor of your reply, I remain,
¥ours respectfully.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
“aF-r-
_ :ral Elastic Compound
Federal Pulley Facing
ice and factory Phase address reply lo lien. Pork Office
Cuevas ijvnb, Ohio.
New Yohk Office. 120 Liberty
Phone, Rector
Gentlemen: ^
T7e are informed that you rnanufactur
aniline oils and salts and would appreciate
very much having you advise us whether you would
he interested in crushed iron, which we manufac¬
ture as a by-product in our foundry Supply mil
connected with our graphite business.
During the past months, we supplied
some very large firms in your line with this raw
material for the purpose, as we understand, of \U
’ocess . '
substituting hydrochloric-acid by e
iping to be favored with your prompt
re beg to remain,
Very truly yours,
THE PEDEiUIr GEAP,TIfE HILLS.
J. D. L006. Eastern Ming Agent.
hit’ Pduuru.
JluJi u<i cl i-lccv erwe enx me.
n^tT-M l C^ltcr-V f&etst frctC (AL-u-3 <t) Uim t ■ i
•l/c. €ojlC.£xj
ESPONDENCE TO THE HOME OFFICI
7 h
A
\i Jl jr » i«n. 1»». ^
iL-ote
ren^mbex^ tnat^Ur . Masbn sent ygu down-^ memorandurr^a^ay or
vf- t.-f ^ue)
,at JohnB-
Dear Mr. Edison
You. will rei
imember that. Mr. Masbn sent
dr vi-V dctjCC^
ago in regard to llaphthftlne at John&bo....
This aftern^bn^na| a~ t^lephoM cajm frc
reco ct q» i
from Mr .
Ir. Slick's, offfce ,a1
_ __ jyjide^ Jlfeplrthi'S!ine‘<^<1
&£$> abo^SttSpat^rtiy^hScp!
town. They said
Benzol Plant
tract with you, tl^ey wante^^o see if 'they could not arrange some disposi¬
tion of it. I told them that although it was not sjieodrftoajlly mentioned
in the contract, it had always been in your mVrfd that the naphthaline would
also belong to you, to be paid for, of course , if "you^took it away, on a
royalty basis at the rate you paid for Solvent HantvCna. They said they were
not aware that you had had the naphthaline in^mnd, but if that was so,
they would like to have a proposition from J
I told them that at our Woodward Plant the^sMie condition had pre¬
vailed, but that down there we were subliming it, a^id paid the Woodward
Iron Company a royalty of 1 l/4^ per pound, which was on the basis of
Solvent Naphtha at 10^ per gallon. They said that a local concern at Johns¬
town was subliming Naphthaline, and that they (Cambria Steel Company) sold
their crude Naphthaline to this local concern. I said that the, only thing
I could do was to write to you this afternoon and lay the facts before you.
They said that they were very desirous of having the matter arranged as quick¬
ly as possible, and requested me to ask you to kindly write immediately and
say what you were willing to do about it.
1 jave just spoken to Mr. Mason about it, and he Bays it is not worth
while to put up a sublimer at Johnstown. Anyway, we have only about a car¬
load of the crude Naphthaline at Johnstown, and it would scarcely pay to
ship it to Woodward to be sublimed. This carload is the accumulation of
about a year.
dc^'
•t7
y
.f ‘'“Yours very truly.
t^EquitableTrust Company ofNew York
t under said assignment and the number of gallons of Toluol
b would appreciate a prompt r
April 14th. 1916
opinion it is merely a fishing expedition to find out the
number of gallons of Toluol still to be delivered under
the contract so that lewiB con bring suit against you.
Of course, we shall have to answer the question
sooner or later, but in the meantime, and until you return
llorth, it' would be my plan to pursue dilatory tactics, namely,
by replying to this letter and saying that we do not know when
the Equitable Trust Company can expect another payment!, as
we cannot make shipment on account of an embargo laid by the
railroad, companies . They will reply to this repeating the
question as to the number of gallons of Toluol still to be
delivered, and we can simply delay replying to this a few •
days longer.
Y. . H. MEADOW CKOl'T .
..pi'll IE. tli. 1916.
Ihe J. H. V.atkiae Medical Co.,
iVinona, '.linn.
attention of Mr. C. K. Ooldsborough.
Gentlemen :
Your favor of the sixth instant was received , but b
fore replying I was obliged to consult with :ir. Edison v.ho is
in Florida at the present time.
I nave just received word from him that he is will¬
ing to contract for a period of six months, commencing June
1st or July 1st. whievor, you prefer, for 400 pounds per month
of Carbolic Acid crystals at B0<f per pound- V.e could not guarantee
the Carbolic to he strictly U. E • - • . hut it would ho of the
same quality as wo are now shipping to you. Shis ouotation is
made subject to prior sale.
I regret to say that wo shall he unable to rauko you
a quotation for a monthly supply covering a period of one year,
as wo have not yet secured our acids and other supplies for next
year.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
It ie quite probable that our good friends
the various Acid Companies, such as the General Chemical Co.,
Grasselli Chemical Co., Butterworth-Judson Co. or Contact
Process Company, could handle this business. If you do not
see your way clear. to contract for your tonnage with any outside
concerns, we would request that^youjiake the__majj^-up again
with us, say Ju#£ 1st, at which time our position regarding
1917 will be very much clearer.
We thank you for having placed your inquiry before
PEG/HW
to the Director of Purchases.
April 17th.
Mr. John Bacon, Jr.,
a The Edison Benzol Plant,
Johnstown, Pa.
Bear Siir:
V.ill you kindly send me a statement showing how
many gallons you have shipped of Benzol, Toluol and Sol¬
vent naphtha since the plant started up to the date of your
last shipment, all I want is the grand total of each one,
nothing in detail. Please also state the date of the first
shipment and of the last shipment- If possible I would like
to have you get this off to me by the end of the week. Mr.
Edison wants these figures.
Your b very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
ii.pril 17 th. 1916.
Ur. Clauae H. Opdyke,
5. The Edison Benzol Plant,
Woodward Iron Company,
Woodward , Ala.
Dear Ur. Opayke :
'.'.ill you kindly send me a statement showing how
many gallons you have shipped of Benzol, Toluol and Sol¬
vent Naphtha since the plant started up to the date of your
last shipment.. -11 I want is the grand total of each one,
nothing in detail. Please also state the date of the first
shipment -nd of the last shipment- If possible I would like
to have you get this off to me by the end of the week. lir.
Edison wants these figures.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
P.S. Please also give mo the same information for Sublimed
Naphthaline .
<\\V
Attention of Mr. C.
Gentlemen :
Jfcrkus . t
« ^ r ,
Hr. Kdison (La contemplating the possibility of put ting in
tity in the Laboratory.
ana “the work has boon!
ing a very smell quanj
Para mido ilienol is used for some other urpo; ee besides
prod act bein'- ki.ovm as\"commorcial" .
t ->n •rit>np\o you in advance of i-h:. Edison’s return to
i.t „„„ .toj. «.!. V ■ « out
ea in the product if ne +hi? material for photo-
but have produced some of the commercial, and even v.ith this v.e
have developed both plates and prints very satisfactorily.
yours very truly,
.ssistant to Ur.
*, , C[C^ VC - f
]\P ^ ,c-^i
T i (*4 J
K.-1
Edison.
..pril 18th. 1916.
Swedish Chumbcr of Commoree,
Produce Exchange Annex,
llew York City.
Gentlemen:
Heferring to our telephone conversation
this afternoon, v.e beg to say that we understand
that there is a demand oy Swedish paper manufactur¬
ers for Sulphite of Soda, and as we are producing
this material at the rate of about a ton a day, v.-e
desire to coll your attention to that effect.
We will forward a sample of our nroduct
to you, and uhal ; bo glad to have inquiries referred
to us.
Yours very truly,
Edison laboratory.
7f>o,
& , ?dt-jcni
?n
U~ Or/ ?) ly&i J f 7 Cet ,
■d ft Or/
OCtlu
7
flic. /Lit n *\< HCf
7
/f\li luontfi f I ilt-t onv Cati/rac-J jer One
(ifhj 4,J per tuon/f U-c'/C nr/ Sc
, , t neM/b
pe'itne>4 c>cuy, &pai ofcnm*^
/on , Hopjm rut /enl op
cioCCi
a.
, l, lei /tortiAi 'Conjoint
/
One Snneh‘re> ffl//y
Cm c'fJt'vn SjcneraC
/ y*. 3 n.pn/t*
/innc/re'd /°hj mon/S . ei/
ci Sc, f>e y~
*“7
>>cf
one Sn n c/i-cc> c/o&cvu /on,, /YtCC
j yyj< 6(c. t /“ / /Iceoinnicnefi Cccccpf-inj .
rj cy/iepptny eviecnti -nfeo , fife tut//
nine/ l '>iciie/i,j . CcCj/l/ ^ICA' Cf
finite
otT‘
tfftt OOCs
ft* >>t n\t\ /ityjY . tie/'/c,- tut.it. yc~tt\
t yti ic/tCy.
fy ' M ■ ?lLcci^>^turt <~f (L
RECEIVED AT
10 NY H 63 NL
FORT MYERS FLO APRIL 20-16
W H MEADOWCROFT
EDISON LABORATORIES ORANGE NU
IF MASON USING TWENTY THOUSAND POUNDS HE IS MAKING TERRIBLE LOSS
SOMEWHERE ONE AND SEVEN TENTHS POUND OLEUM GIVES
PBUND PHENOL BY MANY TESTS AM WILLING BUY THE EXTRA
OLEUM BUT THESE LOSSES VERY DISCOURAGING WHY DOES KAMERHOFF TAKE
WHOLE MONTH TO GET READY TO USE NITRE CAKE WHICH RELEASES
PLENTY OF ACID IF THIS IS PUSHED YOU WILL
HAVE ACID TO SELL.
EDISON
225AM
WESTEiffl UNION
nighjWtter .
RECEIVED AT
21 NY H 33 NL
VI CHICAGO ILLS APRIL 20-16
NEW P MEADOWCROFT
CARE THOS A EDISON ORANGE Nd
THANKS FOR WRITING US REGARDING PARAMIDOPHEMOL PLEASE MAIL TO ME AT
ROCHESTER SAMPLE OF THE COMMERCIAL ARTICLE TOGETHER WITH PROBABLE PRICE
OF BOTH REFINED AND COMMERCIAL ALSO ESTIMATED OUTPUT AND EARLIEST
DELIVERY DATE.
C W MARKUS
323 AM
Equitable Crust Company of Hew York.
37 Wall Street,
How York City.
Gentlemen:
Your favor of the 15th instant was received
and forwarded to Mr. Edison, who is in .Florida .
He directs us to write and say th.t v.e do
not know when another uaymentscan be made on account
of commissions under the contract of Mr. Herbert lewis
with Mr. Edison. He have been unable to make any ship¬
ment recently on account of the embargo laid by the
railway companies.
Yours very truly.
Edison Laboratory.
April 21st. 1,916.
The Federal Oraohite Mills,
120 liberty Street,
Ilev. York City.
Gentlemen:
Your favor of the 12th instant was received and for
wardod to Mr. Edison, who is in Florida,
lie has returned it mo me, asking me to write to you
and get sample and price of tho crushed iron which you manu¬
facture as a by-product.
I v.ould suggest a samplo of three or four pounds,
and would ask that you kindly address it to me personally at
this address. There is such an immense amount of material com¬
ing here addressed to Thomas ... Edison that your sample might
get side-tracked if addressed to him. Please quote in tons and
carload lotB.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
CONTINUATION
THE SWEDISH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
F NEW YORK
a testimony uf the value of our aervicen. The membership fee la only 415:-
a your, und we hope that you will return at your earliest convenience the
unnoxed membership application properly filled out and aimed.
We are sending you under separate cover a copy of our monthly
bulletin, The Swedioh-American Trade Journal, which you will as a member
receive regularly.
Assuring you that we shall doem it a great pleasure to entor
THE STILLWELL LABORATORIES.
A. G. STILLWELL. B. S.
ANALYTICAL & CONSULTING CHEMISTS.
76 y, PINE STREET
NEW PROCESSES
Analysis No. 20357
NEW YORK . April 2l/lG
CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS
Of a sample of CRYSTALLIZED SODIUM ACETATE
marked
received from T.J. Parker, 4/30/lC
Crystallized Sodium Acetate 99.15 ^
Anhydrous Sodium Acetate 59 .70
^pril 22nd. 1916.
William H. Scheel_, EBq...
119 “ai^ York* City. Attention of G.H.Lincks. EBq..
Dear Sir:
deferring to our telephone conversation
of the 15th instunt, and to the prices ;.ou then quoted
from your manufacture of Magnesium Chloride, I
submitted the same to Ur. Edison. I have just received
a memorandum from him this morning stating that the
price is entirely too high for his purpose, and he
can use the Calcined Oxide, v.hich v.ill be much cheaper.
V.o may, therefore, be in the market or
Calcined Oxide from time to time, and shall expect
to call upon you occasionally for quotations.
Yours very truly.
Asistant to Ur. Edison.
Dear Sir:
Concerning our telephone conversation of today
we bog to advise that we can supply you on short notice
Magnesium Chloride substantially according to the follow¬
ing specifications. In carload lots-pure Magnesium Chloride
containing not over 1 l/2$e lime - $120. per ton.
Magnesium Chloride containing not over 7?;. lime - $110.
per ton.
Magnesium Chloride containing not over 12J, lime - $100.
per ton.
All F. 0. B. Works. Freight rate would probably be
not over 12 or 15 cents per hundred. In comparie®) with the
German chloride all of the above grades contain less im¬
purities, although the graded quoted at $100. per ton may
contain trifle more lime. If you are going to use it for floor¬
ing you need not be afraid to use the third grade on account
of its lime contents- i’here are concerns using it for the same
purpose that contain a higher percentage of lime.
Yours very truly,
flV* t : ,
J 'Ucttved ye***
f<n~ ^ a - ~~~
. J> <r<=aXk3 ^ ^
cl -W S,y(U.S «*• 0-^*3 ^ ~V
■3c&.t*jC ccUjU* /tZ^‘ »***■ /Aj^' ^
7?vux&<r<.
Vj5^ \V. >VAeok.^l<H»>0\
Uoiio-v
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eo^ca
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Vjii(^<r^Jjj-^>_\ GiLoi,
a^oJL 2 2- n»
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erp“ rvv*.o5«jCkoS - . o^to — - «,
2 *7 2» I 2> I <T^o-Q-<2_cr-Vv^J (r-c_^\ — ry^-a-^-
6 . .^bzj).. 0_ o
3£7I l/lU «
I 5 l 4-0 11 K c^Uyrv/vvk 'Vlo-^V^oj.
^-7So5^iU^
K% tv^yi (D ^^/wjlaaA
To
KA UiJdL
\o^3^^oWaJ ‘
I 3 <o I O “J /'V'- oJ^ oJLaa^S.
Ifa) C/vOS-A G> &l/w
tSjC ' ••
• loraA fc^j»Av-lA^ 04a>uJl ZZ -I <»
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LOo-o-A u
K. <5> ^-+-ffV^> -£i«i
ft
Varnish Qums,
Asphalts,
Shellac,
Driers,
Chemicals, and
Supplies for
Varnish Manufacturers
Mr. Thomas j
Orangi
WILLIAM H. SCHEEL,
7V\ERCHANT,
159 Maiden Lane and 37 Fletcher Stn
Hew Jersey.
Attention of
Mr. Via. H. Meadow;:
Your esteemed favor of the i!2nd inst., is in our
possession today, Y/e regret the unfavorable response with re¬
ference to Magnesium Chloride. We understand now that you will
utilize the Calcined Greecian Magnesite as per the recent deli¬
veries made to your goodselveB. We will probably have an ad¬
ditional offering to present to your attention tomorrow and we
are also at work on a definite proposal with reference to the
California product. This i3 said to take the place, in a very
large measure, of the Greecian product at lower prices and of
better quality.
With reference to the deliveries recently made would
say that we cannot enter an invoice for the reason that the
numbers of the barrels are not yet in our possession. You under¬
stood of course that our invoices were to be rendered on a net
cash ten day basis, In fact we paid cash against delivery order
and naturally would like to have the matter settled as quickly
as possible so that a remittance could come to us by early mail.
Instruct your Aniline Plant therefore to send to us the numbers
4/24/13/'
*c morale
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
on both shipments so that an invoice can be rendered. We parti
larly desii'e the numbers on the first shipment.
Yours truly,
CiHL-GJK.
WJXs/MrJJ ”
<3.
<j/kor/yy
/Ac^kA?y,f/rky/s
•/, 7
i^iA
Vnytk*y>'kfi f April 25th. 1916.
i*
t 'n^
Stibn of Mr ■ Whittaker . fi
^OyL^J Y*- iK=r-X-w
During my absence in Florida, Ur. Meadowerp£±, . has Jmd .»»»— ■—-
so me telephone conversation with you ahoht di4paed-%#oft ®vc-* ^
the crude naphthaline at my Benzol PlantUTbcated at your Works
As he informed you, it was my /under standing, although not specA
ifically mentioned in the contract, that all the by-products ex¬
tracted from the gases would naturally be at my disposal.
As Mr. Meadowcrof t /told you, a like condition exislfc
in regard to my Benzol Plant/ contract with the Woodward IronN
Company, and later, when we /found we could dispose of the naph¬
thaline, it was arranged that X should pay for it on the same
basis as if it were Solvent/llaphtha, figuring 7.25 pounds per
gallon, thus making the royalty 1 1/4 cents per pound for the naph¬
thaline. j
I understand tha't this arrangement is agreeable to the
Cambria Steel Company, an'd would, therefore, say that I am will¬
ing to sell my crude naphthaline to the concern you mention at
2 i/2 cents per pound, .«□» I will pay the Cambria Steel Company
royalty of 1 1/4 cent? per pound..
, trusting tl/is will be satisfactory, I remain^
rcours very truly.
?)}* fdutn
/o, Hi
t\r„:
uJ&L
Me Cfxw \Crto, 4». *** Q«»/
Me. huji.iltfia.ti nr.
/s
Hi) it tiff w it tri »neH/iwwJ*
Can/m l-i~t n<
.X J o\*.JiU"C
OJ ive ch£
Y f\ a**c- a. CO\/o£t»> an
^ ft. totO jiiit
7“w,~* ■
April 26th. 1916.
Mr. II. F. Millor :
In regard to the shlpraont of Toluol and or our
contract with J. P. Morgan & Company for tho British
Govormaont we have at loot rocolvod word from tho forward¬
ing agents , Uuiiuun & Mooro, that tho ■ onneylvania Kail-
road Company will authorise their Johnstown agont to ac¬
cept the last two shipment, nnmoly, lotr. Hoc. 9 and 10.
I have tologruphod Mr. Bacon, thoroforo, to make tno chlp-
mont.
I have two objects in view in sanding you this
memorandum/ One is to notify you that we eheil now bo
able lo make tho shipment, ant the other 1e to call your
attention to the fact that there it come disputo in re¬
gard to the commission of Mi. Korbcrt I.ovie, and tho mattor
is being takon up by our legal Department.
X, thoroforo, want to call your particular atten¬
tion to this and to ool: you not to puy lewis ' commission
until you have tho Banotion of Mr. Kdieon and tho Logal
Department. till you please advise mo when you huvo ro-
coivod payment from J. Morgan « Cora. any. I will sond
you tho bill of lading und shipping lists in duo timo uftor
tho shipment is mode.
In ordor to avoid any possibility of any olip-up
I am sending a carbon copy of this memorandum to Mr. Kollow
and to Mr. Haas.
ii. MEAhOViCKOE'S.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
We have concluded our experimental work
on the two ounce sample of Commercial Pa.ramidoph.enol which
you sent ub and although this chemical possesses no developing
properties whatever, this condition influenced us in malting a
further analysis which leads to the discovery that the material
is Paranitrophenol.Have you a price on this latter article?
purchasing""deI*artment
Wooim Attn Ikon Company
lVboimra),AiA. April 26, 1916.
k ^
^ L
Ur. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, II . J
Bear Sir:- \
We are in recolpt of yours of the 2l3t in regard to making a
contract with the American Oil A Supply Company for a period of eighteen
months covering their supply of subliried naphthalene flakes, their re¬
quirements being from 18 to 20 tons perNmonth.
We note that they offer 10(i a pdund. As we understand it,
this price is f. 0. b. Newark. - We are willirato accept the price of
10(i a pound but hope you will be able to get/ 10-^t to help take care of
Wo would also want some provision in the contract that would
otect us in case wo found it necessary to shut down our benzol plant
ring the period covered by the contract. Vie take it as a matter of
urse that you will want to protect yourself in the same way.
Yours truly,
WOOBWAEB IROjJ^OHPAlIY,
Vice President,
lly dear Ur. Meadowcroft:-
Your favor of April 18th In referonco to
sulphite of soda reached this office during my at 3 once. In the
meantime, however, my assistants communicated the contents of
your letter to our Manufacturing Department and thoy advise
us that while we have not used sulphite of soda in our process
to any extent, we might ho able to use it, if wo could obtain
it at a price that would compete with the sulphite of calcium
which we no w use in large quantities. We would appreciate it,
therefore, if you would advise us at what prioo you could
furnish this product in carload lots, and you can possibly
estimate our probably consumption from the fact that wo use
about 60 tons a day of lime.
American Printing. Company,
Fall Elver, Mass.
Gentlemen :
You are probably quite well aware of the un¬
settled state of the market for all kinds of raw materials,
which has affected all ines of commerce. Like other manu¬
facturers, I have had a moat unusual experience ever since
the beginning of tho war in Europe, and now find myself in
the position of being coranelled to decide very quickly
whether or not X shall continue to manufacture aniline Oil
next year. She great difficulty of obtaining acids and
other raw materials makes it necessary for me to take ac¬
tion vory :uickly if I am to remain in the business.
I can only decide the question by ascertaining
whether or not rny present customers will desire to make
new contracts with me for the year 1917 . If you will
kindly consider this matter and advise me at your early con¬
venience I snail be much obliged.
Yours very truly.
April 27th. 19 1G.
Dr. Fr.F. Kuendig,
IVallisellen,
Zurich, Switzerland.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the sixth instant has been
handed to Ur. .Edison, and he has read the same with
much interest.
He wishes me to say in reply that we are
interested only in buying a process for making Para-
phenylenediamine that is a cheaper process than the
usual one, in which Hitro-Acetanilid is employed.
Glacial Acetic Acid is very expensive at this time,
and we want to avoid the necessity of using it for
making Puraphenylenediamine- llr. Edison wishes to
know whether you can offer him a cheaper process,
and if so, at what price. He says that later on we
may want to buy other processes .
.-t the present time wo are manufacturing
aniline Oil, aniline Salt, laranhenylenediamine,
Para Araido Phenol, and Phenol in large ouantities.
Yours very truly.
Assistant
Ur. Edison.
y
April 28, JS16.
ilitsui i Coir, any, Limited,
25 i.adison Avenue,
New York City. Attention ofl.ir. Takaki .
Gentlemens-
You have robsbly nctioeri by. the news-
arors that ve are hrving a strike at our Carbolic
riant at Silver Lake. It h e listed three days
so far, •• nd we do not know when it will be over, but
hope that it ir.r.y not 1 a at much longer.
1 mn --dvisir.g you about this, as it may
affect t'- v deliveries under ycur existing Carbolic
contract. 1 t^ust, nov/ovor, hat there will be no
serious delay.
Yours very truly,
!
Mr. Plummer, our ex-Preeidcnt, spoke to me some time
ago about our arrangement with you covering Benzol, and asked
that I have the matter put in proper form. Since Mr. Plummer's
resignation I have been extremely busy, and have only now had an
opportunity of attending to this matter.
I have pleasure in enclosing herewith contract form
in duplicate covering the arrangement Mr. Plummer made with you
some time ago, and will be very pleased if you will sign the
same and return to me here for completion.
I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you in the
not very far distant future, and if time permits, will make
it a point to go over to Orange some time when I am in Hew York.
fcU lu ti
7/c-i.e- dll iCx.
At fel/ ,
^ T‘~ "T
“fy i **■
h\h
President.
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
CONFIDENTIAL
April 28 V 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Hast Orange
Dear Sirs!
«jL,
take the liberty of adqrdsBing yeu' w^jthi,a /jjiev
K^j
" LX?^
/#&•
, M. J./JuXL
JL^JU^ f"
» ■ ->tc
of obtaining an expression of y(our opinion a^^o^inanaial^ ^
rn
standing, character, etc.,
j following concern:
, Hollander & Son -
(ewark, H. J.
Any information that you care to/imparAjjo H “
.dwill vbe held strictly /
your part .
be appreciated, and, neiedless to say.Mwill'
confidential and without any responsibility
Thanking you in anticipation of your courtesy in
this respect, arid .assuring you of our pleasure in reciprocating
at any time, we remain,
very truly.
ft v fd^
1)'e Hu
A'fcu I i>f ]
wiAturj *&***>
&tU fftCLj Cl&frtl'l
yu~ / *r<
CI&-C
4,..
li.'trrffi
tx'0
p-
April 29th. 1916.
Ur. Edison:
You will probably remember that we have had on hand at
Silver lake for a long time past some Toluol which Ur. Kammerhoff
obtainod in distilling some of the 90# Benzol shipped to us from
Johnstown many months ago. There wore about 512 gallons, and you
said a might sell it.
It is not as pure as the regular Toluol made at Johns¬
town, and I sold it on sample at $3.60 per gallon.
How arises the question of billing. All Benzol goeB
through the Incorporated. Therefore, this toluol has entered into
at ‘Ji]t
their accounts , and in the first place will have to be billed by
^ 1
them. I contend that this Toluol ought to bo billed„by Thomas
A. Edison at the sale price, so that it bocomos a credit to your
Johns town Plant agcount. Otherwise, you would not know what profit
or loss your Johnstown account will show.
If you coincide with this view, the question to be
settled is what price Bhall the Incorporated ehargo Thomas A. Edison -
I think they ought to charge you the same price as they charge the
Carbolic Division for Benzol, plus an allowance for labor, steam,
eto. used in the distillation by Kammerhoff.
HEADOY.CKOFT.
EuBtman Kodak Company,
P.ochester, H. Y.
Attention of Ur. MarkuB,
Dear Mr . Markus :
Vie certainly made a stupid blunder in Bending
you Para Hitro Phenol instead of Para .-.raido Phenol. I
asked ono of pur young men in the chemical room to get
out the Bainplo for me, and it who he who made the blunder
by taking 64 out of the wrong package. Ihe young man in
question is simply one of the helpere, and not one of 6ur
chemists. I am rather ashamed that such a mistake should
have been made.
However, I am sending you by this mail under
separate cover a sample of Para Araido Phenol. Shis is the
commercial material. For your purposes wo should expect
so furnish a refined product, and we are now working to
get it in satisfactory chape. In the meantime, you can ex¬
periment with the sample that is being forwarded. Our
photographer has had some good results with it.
Yours very truly.
assistant
Mr. EdiBon.
PtRAPHBMYLEHEDIAMIME
First Week
i Regular Shipments for month of -iprll
1916
American Oil ft Supply Company - 160 Its. at $2.86
", " « "< -< I 50 " " 3 ‘.7b
Hollander '
Lazard , "
Columbia Dye worts -
I0™*1 - £2 -»o ■
American Oil { sopply company - 100 lie. at
- 26 " " 3.76
Hollander " "
lazard - „
Columbia Dye Works - xuu
Cappel - Ship only on notice „
from Vi . H . II. ” ,5UU
American Oil & Supply Company.- 25 lbs. at $3.75
Hollander - „
lazard "
Columbia Dye Works " 100
Cappel - Ship only on notice
from Vi. H. U. - 200
American Oil & Supply Company - ^26 1
", I! » » " - 50
Hollander I §g§
Lazard • rnn
Columbia Dye works, " 100
0.„.1 - snip “VS. . 200
Pcu-j [
7Cfs
. at $3.76
HHPORT FOH HQH'JH OB’ .APRIL.
Bulpho nations
Bolting
Cons Contrifugod
Centrifuge Loads
salt from Dryer
Bhito salt
155
302
4153
3903
600164
40435
5.16 per day
10.2 " "
133.4 " "
130.1 - "
20,005 lbe
1,347 n = .067^ Bodiun
Balt
Fusions - 147 * 4.9 per
(33 of 3600/? - 114 Of 42000)
(Salt uned in f union* ohooko with weight of salt from
day
Dryer)
pbenolato eent to CO2 265344 gals. -- 0044 gal* P°r d“y
. -.1 _ _ -n » lioa.a » " " r
Acidified Phenol Total 33264
Phonal Acidified by Ultra cake
Phonol from Hitre Cake
Total gallons phenol
phenol distilled
Lbe. Puro Phenol
% of Phenolato
33776 "
33605 "
205849 lbo.
Assume 155 aulphonations at a thoorotioal production of 4600// Bensol Bul-
phonio Boda per aulphouation equals 713,0000 - Actual Production 600,1640
less % - 570150 Dry Bomol Bulplionio Soda
'0435 '.Ihite Bolt . .
5S5T" Total Dry salt - 85.6 S. recovery of ealt.
Aaaumo 3600 lbe.
then 610591 "
Actual phenol
Recovery of
05.6^
Dry Bolt « 1550 lbs. Pure phenol
n « * 262300 " " ”
a 205049 "
81.8^ of Thoorotioal
X 01.0^ « 70£ recovery.
it
Vl-dvlk.
^yJLr: f^Cu^y^VOry'-eV
j^jp-tA^-Ut'v* *»*^v |n£<-»
(4-^.
’ :?£*
I
s
*+■*
fa- ■+* CX~o f<.
Ir^tfCc^C^
&M.G&£L«b *^-V'v>
(4-^. ^ ^
4t uo-><-tC p**-^ */$■& "ft &
'It'-‘'32W„
/’
f^t-Vr t\.t<^r^ (v
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
May
Huy 1st. 1916
Merrimack Mfg . Company,
Lowell, Mass.
Gentlemen:
You are probably quite well aware of the un¬
settled state of the market for all kinds of raw materials,
which has affected all lines of commerce. Like other manu¬
facturers, I have had a most unusual experience ever since
the beginning of the war in Europe , and now find myself in
; he position of being compelled to decide very quickly
whether or not I shall continue to manufacture Aniline Oil
next year. 'The great difficulty of obtaining acids end
other raw materials makes it necessary for me to take ac¬
tion very quickly if I am to remain in the Dusiness.
I can only decide the question by ascertaining
whether or not my present customers will desire to make
now contracts with me for tho year 1917. If you will kind¬
ly consider this matter and advise me at your early conven¬
ience X shall be much obliged.
Yours very truly,
/ • t )
Is '
il.
. !,*■.%,■/■ . .
■JujU (%£*~15 -“t- ^ ?t
?o-_ //rtt/wvt -S/rnttm
May 1, _ /■&/$ •_..
*BOB. — .*.,5Ur ^£-C'- |
Orange, M. J. yU^y**^ ' a •
Dear Sirs: __ - • n o^*1^ ^l3o . .,-* ^
** °^y oL— ^
Some time last summer I remember^oujo Id ,me that you
can get the man to huild a liquified'chlorine gas plan* in Russia,
and now I have a cable from abroad asking me to £Hfd out at what
price I can buy complete set of experimental plaffTfor" making
ohlorine, and also asking me to get gas generator with capacity
of 2 ou. ft. per minute and dryers and compressors to charge
same into bomb.
I shall be grateful to you if you will kindly give me
your personal advise as to how I can obtain this experimental
plant .
Very truly yours.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT
102664
F CUSTOMS
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
WASHINGTON
May 1, 1916.
Mr. William H. ileadowcrof t ,
Assistant to Thomas •r-> Edison,
Orange, K. J.
Sir;
I have to refer to your letter of the 12th ultimo
requesting information relative to the duty on crude
naphthaline and refined naphthaline from Canada.
In the opinion of the Department either crude or
refined naphthaline is free of duty under paragraph 452
of the tariff act of 1915, which paragraph provides for
the free entry of naphthalin.
Eespect fully,
Acting Chief, Division of Customs.
No Enclosure.
1916
Hr. W. H. 1,'aadoworoft ,
Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
Hy dsar Mr. Meadoweroft :
I havs your lettsr of April 24th and bsg to
adviss that we ars trying out ths sample of Carbolic Aeid
which you sent us. If it meets with our requirements, will
be very glad to place an order for 50 pounds at price quoted,
77 is* per pound, and to continue ordering to meet our needs.
Thanking you for your courtesy and, with per¬
sonal regards,
Very truly yours,
HENRY FOjJD HOSPITAL
Secretary S Treasurer.
EGL-D
SGcttrt/
May 3rd . 1916 .
Ur. J. E. Murriner,
5. The Burgess Sulphite Fibre Co.,
Portland, Me.
Bear Mr. Uarriner:
Your esteemed favor of the s6th ultimo
v.as received, and 1 wailed to show it to Ur. Edison
before making any reply. He wants me to thank you
for the information which you have so kindly given,
and to say that it would be of no use whatever to
quote you a price on Sulphite of Soda, as we could
not possibly compete with lime. The difference is
too great.
The last few days of warm weather has given
me "the Cape fever". It really lookB now as if we
would have some warm weather.
Viith kind regards to you and yours, I re¬
main.
Yours very truly,
Zurich, Hay 3rd , 1916.
47 rue du high!
Mr. «’n. H. '.ieadoworoft,
Assistant to Hr, A. So ikon,
Orange,
1 duly received your favors of I.lurch 27th and April 1st
and have taken d no note of their contents.
As to the manufacture of t> -rnphenylendinjaine I an in a
position to offer you a very good process taken from my practical expe¬
rience giving very good yields and its cost price being far below that
the one obt :ined through the process with nitroacetanilide or. account
of the glacial acotic acid bring u very groat dravfback,
1 am o.uite prepared to or-de this process tc you for the
sum of $200 . - ( twohundred dollars ) . The equivalent of this amount,
which is payable in advance, would have to be remitted to me either
directly by check on nondon or to the Sooidtd de Crddit Suisse, Zurioh,
for the credit of my account.
needless to say that 1 nn always at your disposal for
any further inforemtion yon may desire.
remain, dear Sir,
Yours truly,
por Dr. vV. Kneoht
American Consulate general
i c h.
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Jfdtf
Please make separate reply to this inquiry . .
8oheneotady,/B. T.f May 3, 1916,
it* ^
LUilC ^8* U** M*-
„**■>■ It :-J ,
i'°
^‘•‘'3 , a«“r-v ^
|Y^' /t4 ^ f* *>*' i/ /
Delivery required at destination: State earliest delivery.
State what delivery you can make.'
Quotations to be complete should inolude terms of payment —
net and oash discount in 16 days.
Charges for paokages will not be 'allowed unless mentioned
in quotation and aooepted by us.
Yours truly.
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.
jay 8th. 1916.
General Electric Company,
Schenectady, H.i.
..ttentlon of ,.ir . Bowman .
-ear Sir:
Your request of the third instunt for
quotation on 7,220 pounds of white crystalline
phenol v;at received, and I beg to quote you 85^
per pound, ?. . S. Hew York City, suitably pack¬
ed for export. This 'price includes the packages.
Deliver of this phenol could be made
■ within one woek from receipt of order.
■/A The ubove price would be not 30 days.
Our cash discount is usually at 10 days from date
of invoice, but wo have heretofore allowed your
>'■ company to take the 1 % cash discount in'15 days.
,i This also may apply in this case.
7
Yours very truly,
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
U >
Dear Mr. Meadowcrof t :
We have completed our testB with the samples
of Commercial Pararnidophenol which we received from you last
and while the article is somewhat crude, we believe that we can
manipulate it so that it can be used. We would, therefore , be very
much interested in knowing '.vhat quantities you would be prepared
to offerjhow soon delivery could be made and what the price would
be. In case you contemplate supplyin^the purified product, you
might let us know about that also^
Yours trul
Mr. Willium H.Meadov/croft,
Laboratory Thomas A. Edison,'
Orange,H. J.
ADDRESS REPLY
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
$J-^//(te/(iSwi*£)6wtM<
._AtJ,r%*-£‘ May_ S» _ . _ /#/-**.
^I'kfttt. U»cW<m*w> j
Thomas A. Edison, Ino. , **^l(u*|L» Uw*r4<* 7f^*^
orange, N. J. ^.C* *tU
/ • ■vvl':«'** ''’
is^th 'instant , regarding
Orange
Attentl
Gentlemen:— ^3”^**“*
We have your letter of
the liquefying chlorine gas plant, for which kindly acoept
our thanks, Vy4t'*VMJ'^ ||!>|f‘VA«k-n!.
J+rw** jiJ
The Hooker Chemioal Company, Niagara Fall.?, has
already made arrangements to sell their patent to qur c.om-
ajr *%* yJ
petitors in Japan, and we shall be muoh obliged tolyou
if you know that Niagara Eleotro Bleaching Comjanjr is^qulppqd
ZV U
to make liquefied chlorine gas, 0 (j \ (La-'S iM-A-ftA- j
You kind reply will be highly appre^t*^^ ^
Yours very truly, ,
ST :VC
• ' L
Y'
v n,*ir »■>*• x t l T rf..y
rvy^
~: fMJm
Your nemo seems to indicate that it io not quite clear to you \Q'“r ,
as to how much raw matorial wo ou$it to receive per month, or what quantity s'
of P. Phonol produced per day is to ho considered as normal. To clear this ^
matter up thorou^ily, I think it neoossary to briefly inform you about the de¬
velopment and the presont situation of this Division.
At the start of the last fiscal yoar, that io, in Karen, 1915, a
production of 4,000 pounds of P. Phonol was considered as maximum, and contracts
for the necessary raw matorial wore closed by the Purchasing Department. When
lator Mr. Edison decided that our production ought to bo increased, a standard
of 7,000 pounds per day was adopted as normal maximum. Tills would be oqual to
210,000 pounds of P. Phonol per month, or 30 days. Prom tho accompanying blue
print you will observe that so far wo have only in one month, in Kovomber, 1915,
reached a production of nsarly 200,000 pounds, whilst during tho following month
this figure dropped to about 160,000 and 170,000 pounds. This variation was due
entirely to lack of raw matorial, and it ie this situation which inducod ms to
ask repeatedly for a copy of our contracts for raw matorial concerning this
Division. It io still not quite clear to me whether our contraots for raw material
covor a production of 210,000 pounds of P. Phenol per month or not. Benzol, os
well as Sulphuric Acid, is used not only in this Division, but to quito soma oxtont
in tho Phonol Division of Thomas A. Edison also, and this is tho reason that fre¬
quent exchanges have taken place, according to Ur. Ediaon's und Hr. Keadowcrof t ' □
directions. When, at certain times, wo have been using 30-callod "oleum" or
fuming Sulphuric Acid, it has beon delivered to us from Ik. Edison's Phonol plant
in exchange for 98$ Sulphuric Acid, and we still at this time have to deliver them
16,221 pounds of 98$ Sulphurio Aoid in exchange for Oleum previously received by
us. When, furthermore, wo have used, and still are using to a certain degroo,
so-called "Chamber Acid", i.e., Sulphurio Acid of about 70$, tho reason for it is
again we have beon supplied by Ur. Edison's Phonol Division. As far as I know
from Kr. Ueadoworoft, no more Charabor Aoid will be delivered after our presont
stock, enougi for anothor 20 days, has boen used up. Instead, so-called "Hitrio
Oako" will be used, according to Mr. Edison’s instructions. This Nitrio Cake has
previously beon used by Ur. Edison's Phenol Division, and we have at the prosont
time sixteen oarloads of unorushod nitric cako in stock, to which during those days
will be added twolve earloads more. We have taken, and are etill taking this
Hitrio Oake in stock because Mr. Edison's Phonol Division can not storo it. The
Hitric Oato is a substitute for Sulphurio Acid of 98$, or of so-called "Chamber
Aoid", and Hr. Edison wants us to use Hitrio Ooko as soon as possiblo, booanso it
can be bought in any desired quantity, and comparatively ohoap, whilst prices for
Sulphuric Aoid are going higher all the time.
■.urcbsiilHO'
.1 opt.
"'S
4-0-10.
i.'ndor tJ»Do oircirntancoo, it io obviouo why v.o cro psoooiry;; you oo
iicrd for Olio different rnrto of ncohiaoiy viiioh you ordorad fran JCnrpol, end via loll,
oacordlns to your latoofc odvlco, will ’oo dolivorod. la the rani' future.
Xn order, new, to enable you to ovorlool: Um oituatlon uilto clearly,
l la roaffcor on &vtss you throo different iloto, l.o.s
Flint, our darned far res; notarial by noire 00,! dulpbnrlo ;u3id only,
Oooanfl, our demand for voa naioriel by unite partly 90,.! ialptario
Acid, end portly Ohrsaba? .‘eld,
aUrd, our OockuO for son notarial by uoinu partly 90; j calptarto
..aid., .uai partly by uoiaa oo-aallod ‘•ilitrio SSise".
In til tbroo Iloto tbo normal daily .iroduotion lo euppoaad to bo 7,000
pounds of ?. Ihanol, or 210,000 povmdo per nonth, or 90 days.
Fli’ntt
3y rains 90/! Sulphuric . old only.
fetor tal
.VOl' Dry
far fanth
Donr.ol
1,002 yolo. or 9,000 lba.
40,572 join. or 294,000 Ibo.
dulphurlo Acid, 90,!
42,000 Ibo.
1,200,000 Iba.
hlaootono
04,000 ”
7.0,000 "
Ooda .'.oh
0,200 "
107,000 "
Cano tie Soda
24,000 '* '
420,000 >>
:'ooonda
3y uoins partly 90. ! sulphur
io Acid end portly fflinubor '.old
Material
For jicy
lor death
iioncol
1,302 sslo. or 3,000 Ibo.
40,072 iplo. or 294,000 Ibo.
aulpliurlo Acid, 93;!
24,000 Ibo.
730,000 Ibo.
Chamber /.eld
34,500 "
7 0,000 "
itaootoao
24,000 "
735,000 "
dodo Aah
0,200 ”
157,000 "
Caiotio Lioda
14,000 "
420,000 •»
gSiteili
Sc; rains portly' 90.:! aulpturlo Acid and portly Illtrio OOto.
fatorial
For Any
For Month
Uonaol
1,303 cpla. ar 9,000 lbn.
40,072 GPlo. or 294,000 lbu.
Sulphuric Acid, 90;!
Jiltrlo Colo
24,000 Ibo.'
00,000 n
. 700,000 Ibo. -
/^,000 -
Llnjotoao
24,000 •»
' 735,000 "
Ooda Aoh
107,000 "
Oauotio Ooda
14,000 "
420,000
If I undorotand tbo oituntion rljit, tbo oontraoto oloood for ran
notorial bavo rovor boon ouffloionfcly lorao to provide for o production of 7,000
po./ndo of j. Mmol per dey, or .110,000 pouado par oonth. I roach thin conoluolon
by tailing into ooneldcrntlon tlict our otocJ: of ran mtoriol Inn nut boon eyewin;; to
aiy rorcriceblo ontont. In qpito of bavins produced dories tbo loot fivo souths
not ooio then about 100,000 and 170,000 poundo of l’. Xhenol roopootlvoly;* <*ur
stoCh of pewdorod llnoatoao covoro nine days only» for oaaatlo coda, ooron days,
whilot it io far ooda oah 20 day a. If tbo oontraoto oloood would bavo oallod for
Sonsol - 2JOOO jalo., or 152230 1'oa.
.Vulptarlc Aoid, 90/j - - - - - - - VOODOO "
OJrsobar AoliL — — 0150000 "
Llnootono - 730000 ”
50<la Anil - - - - 107500 "
CaaotlC Coda - 420000 "
Hitrlo Cain - - 10 ooro, or aTxr.it 075000 ”
1 would cpTvrooiuto It V02 rj naSfi 1£ you
inf oration on aoon no ycra ijssro asraucpd tint 2 cai c
k» -rator ial coniine in.
Oopioo to r&oora.
Jtoadoeoroffc* ..ilooa. .astoort tad iv/Au
OFFICES <
45 Park Place
NEW YORK
MERCK CO.
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS
NEW YORK,
RAHWAY. N. J.
The Laboratory of Thos. A.Edist
Orange ,
u. (W)
Gentlemen:-
Kindly favor us with samples
of your
,0"
which we desire to examine and hope to find suitable for ^ 7
our use, in which case we will be pleased to pass some
orders you£_jfay.
Incidentally we wish to inquire if you have
considered further the matter of manufacturing IRON BY HYDROGEN
iabout 90%.
— . Yours very truly,
MERCK & CO.
Attested:/ ^
OJ&
./ f/4-\ - rt/
T
^ ^ ^ -"^r
d.U«A " ‘
a-
■^(STmU
.,w
Mr. Thomas A. Edson, | #
Orange, N.J. p
Dear Sir: '"'4"'^^"”
Replying to your letter of May 6th Quoting us
tract for Aniline Oil for 1917, 45*. WW are notin'
this time to cover ou^rgir=t^ for ]m7,. hut j»e. would very^
much .like to contract With you for ther^alance of the year 1916., ^
/{hat is, from June, /When our present contract expires, for 45* per 1
•lb. /Our use of Aniline Oil- 'is very irregular, but possibly in
few months hence we may be able to dete
for 1917.
irmine regarding quantity
»c.A
' fob ■ ‘ I 7
Jr*
Agent.
DR. H. SCHWEITZER
117 HUDSON STREET
New York. Hay 8, 1916.
Mr. W. H. Meadowcroft,
Thomas A. Edison, Ino.,
Orange, E. J.
Dear Mr. Meadoworoft:
When I saw you on Saturday you expressed a
desire to acquaint yourself fully with the indications
of aspirin, and I am therefore sending you a pamphlet
which will afford you complete information on the sub¬
ject. I am also enclosing a copy for Mr. Edison, as
I wish to tempt him to abandon his policy of not taking
any medicine, and would appreciate it if you would hand
it to him.
With kindest regards, believe me,
Yours very truly,
$S0-
Enel. 2 pamphlets on aspirin.
\JuJr IU \u^lic to lw*'^
. ia
Vi<!>-t> ^
• •v-^i p>t/^ar
^&§f i qi 4 t-"*5 rt5j£-
, , , . < n>tjM VU^VJ W V <»<£«.£. ikjsfct,
3 traffic officials of the 'SMthern railroads will hold their ,.•■■'
annual meeting at Hot Springs, Val, on the 15th Inst., at whi|h time'"'
they will take up the matter of advancing commodity rates and'plaoing
them on class rate basis. This means that the commodity rate'of
38j/ per Cwt, which we have enjoyed for the past year will be advanoed
to its former basis of 66^ per Cwt, unless we con show reasons why
the present rate should be maintained. X understand that our contract
with the Woodward Iron Company will not expire for two years more.
If this is a fact, I recommend that we oppose any advance in rate on
benzol and would ask permission to attend the meeting to oppose the
contemplated change.
JTRiGUU. \ .
Tux
CC to Hr. 0. H. Wilsc
. . .
f ! 51
Purchasing Service Department Memorandum No.
Xday 9, 1916.
Mr. Meadowcroft.
In line with our conversation this morning,
will you please arrange to hand to me Just as quickly as
possible, all contractual obligations of every nature cover¬
ing purchases of material for any of the Edison organizations,
personal or corporate, as I have been instructed by Mr. Edison
that I must at once assume responsibility for the purchase and
delivery of all items of every nature for these various inter¬
ests, with the sole exception of petty cash expenditures which
may be made by anyone at his direction.
^.5 '
\ | May 19th. 1916. ^
Mr. Emory: j
I reoeived your memorandum #1600 of this date asking mo to hand to
you copied of contraote covering purchases of material for any of the or¬
ganizations, personal or incorporated. In accordance with your request
X am handing you oopios of the following contracts, tho originals being
in possession of Mr. H. F . Miller.
ACIDS
..merican Oil & Supply Company, contract for Oleum for three years
ending Dooeraber Elst, 1918.
American Oil & Supply Company contract for Mixed ^cids ending De¬
cember 31st, 1916.
Butterworth-Judson Company contract for Mixed .-.cid ending December
31st, 1916.
Butterworth-Judson Company’ contract for Spent ,,oid ending December
31st, 1916.
You have tho original contract with the General Chemical Company
' for 98Jo Sulphuric Acid (260 tons a month) for three years ending
Deoember 31st, 1918.
We obtain Benzol from six sources, namely, Mr. Edison's Benzol Plants
at (1) JohnBtown, Pa. and (2) Loodward, Ala., also (3) from the
Dominion Iron & Eteol Company, Sydney, Ilova Scotia. Che other
three sources of supply are (4) Milwaukee Coke and Gas Company;
(6) northwestern Iron Company, and (6) Newport Hydro Carbon Company.
I have already furnished you with copies of the contracts with num¬
bers 3, 4, 6 and 6. The contract for Johnstown covers tho installa¬
tion and operation of a Benzol Plant, and is not u regular contract
for the purchase of Benzol . The Johnstown contract is with tho Cam¬
bria Steel Company, and Mr. Edison agreoe to poy the Cambria Steel Com¬
pany a royalty" of 18<f per gallon for all Benzol chipped away from tho
plant. Mr. Edison has a similar kind of contract with the V.oodward Iron
Company, but in this case tho concern of Mitsui & Company, Limited is
a partner. They sell tho products, and Mr. Edison bought from them
all pure Benzol pjoduoed by the woodward Plant for tho year 1916, at
604 per gallon. CopieB of letters covering this oontroot ure sent to
you herewith.
CiiUSTIC SODA.
Copyiof contract with V.ing and Evans, dated October 14, 1916, oovor-
ing 3100 tons of CatBbic Soda in equal monthly deliveries beginning
April 16, 1916 and ending April 16, 1917. (*** - - >*J
Besides this contract there ought to be in your office two other
Caustic Soda contracts with Viing and Evans und Thomas a. Edison, Inc.,
dated respectively , Hovember</.Hnd and Deoember Oth, 1916, one contract
covering 1900 tons'," agrfl, 1#16 to April, 1917 and the other covering
300 tons January toA June, 1916. (So , “ft-J
NITRE CAKE
Copy, contract with Buttorworth- Judson Company for Nitre Cake, December
I V •
6/ 9/16.
• 21st, 1916 to December 2oth, 1916.
Copy of contraot with K. 1. Du Pont de Uomoure tc Company for Ultra
Cake, January 26th, 1916 to Decembor Slot, 1916.
CASS IROU BOEIUGS.
Copy contract with ... M. Wood Company, Inc., for C>. et Iron Bor¬
ings, February let to .-higust 1st, 1916.
SODA ASH.
There are two existing contracts with the American Oil & Supply
Company, one being for two curs a month for the year onding
August, 1916 and ihe other for one car a month for 10 months
beginning .larch, 1916. 1 have never had theBe contracts, nor
copies of them. They are in your office.
COMMOU FIDE SAIT
Copy contract le.ter with C. G. V.inan & Company, Ilowark for one
carload a month until further notice, this 'lotter being dated
august 23rd, 1916.
CAICIIIBD MaGUESITE
Copies of various letters covering an unfilled contract for one
carload of Calcined Magnesite at .$60.00 per ton, ordered from
the Silica Products Company, Chicago.
Vv . U. MEADOW CROFT.
May 10, 1916.
Mr. Edison: C.C. — Mr. Wilson.
On July 12th, 1915,
I advised you that I had been successful in hav¬
ing the Pennsylvania and Erie Railroad Companies
reduce the rate on benzole in tank cars from
Johnstown Plant to Silver lake, 3.1 cents per
cwt. or about $21.00 per car. The effectiveness
of this rate was prevented on account of complica¬
tions that arose which prevented the above lines
from making the rate effective. However, I
pursued the matter to a conclusion, and I an pleased
to advise that effective May 15th the rate of 14.8
cents per cwt. will be made effective, the present
rate being IV. 9 cents per cwt. Would also advise
that this rate will positively be effective on the
above date.
R.H.
May 10th. 1916.
Dr. Hugo Schweitzer,
117 Hudson Street,
Hew York Ci'ty.
:.!y dear Dr. Schweitzer:
I bog to thank you for your favor of
the eighth instant and for so kindly remember¬
ing my desire for some indications in regard to
..soirin. 1 am much obliged for the pamphlets
v.hich you enclosed, and shall certainly give
one of them to Mr. Kdieon v.ithyour compliments.
V.ith kindest rogards, I remain.
Yours vory truly.
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
Dear Ur. Ueadowcroft:
May 10.1916.
Has your work on the Parareidophenol matter
gotten along far enough 30 that you would he tn position to
give us a reply to our letter of the 4th? We would like very
much to have this information as it would have considerable
hearing on the plans we are working on at the present time.
Yours truly,/
Mr. William H.Meadowcroft,
Laboratory Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.
ADDRESS
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Hay 11th. 1916.
Ur. Edison:
Referring to the attached letter, this brings up
the question upon which 1 want to consult you.
We have been making extensive use of the 250 pound
galvanized iron oans. We have done this because iron or steel
drums discolor the surface of the phenol lying next to the
drum, and when this is re-melted and poured out, it makes the
whole contents yellow. V.e use the galvanized iron cans of
250 pounds entirely for both Government orders.
The Heyden Chemical Company's Plant is not altogether
unreasonable, but I think the trouble arises mostly from the
handling of the cans. The cans are not over strong, and as
they contain 260 pounds, it is not a very difficult matter to
start a leak with the ordinary handling to get the cans on and
off the trucks, and in the jolting of the oans given as the
truck runs over more or less rough roads.
The Carbolic we used to receive from England was pack¬
ed in tin or sheet iron cans encased in wood, which protected
the metal.
If we are sometime or other called upon to make good
on account of some bad leakages, it would not take long to run
into a loss that would be more or less serious. It seems to me
that for the present we could afford to put all our 250 pound
oans in a cheap wooden barrel with straight sides, similar to
the England packages. The can ooBts ub $1.20 and we have figures
on wooden barrels at 40 4< making a total of §1£0. The can holds
260 pounds, so this makes a total cost for the package .0064^.
Does this meet your approval?
W. H. MEADOW CROFT.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Creastis, Ackls, Chemicals
52-54-50 I.afayeltc Street
Ifewark,>T.J.
V.ny 2nd, 1916.
( Ss vfa
ftr &*»«
(P-6
The following is a copy of letter received
yeeterdny frora the Heyden Chemical Works :-
' "We heg to advise that a large
number of Carbolic Acid cans reach us in a
leaking condition. On some of the can3 the
seams are not tight, and in cthersthere are
holes. This condition is objectionable in
warm weather especially considering the low
melting point of Edison's product.
V/e fully understand that the manu¬
facturers will contend that the cans we re
tight when the Carbolic Acid was poured into
them, which undoubtedly is true, but they
either should be handled more careful in
transportation and storing or some kind of
protection put around them.
Perhaps you will desire to take
this matter uo with Jir. Edison.
The Carbolic Acid which we get from
England is packed in wood en barrels as a pro¬
tection of the tins.
When the weather gets hot in July
and August, the Carbolic Acid will probably
arrive at our factory in a semi-J.iquid state,
and considerable lest might occur if the con¬
tainers are not tight."
irvw ‘
fW-C
A-CJL
Will you please let
:onnection with the above in
have your reply
promptly in c
YS\CM>0 , mny transmit it to our customer?
irs very truly,
American Oil L Supply '
nici
hi aAr#****^'.
CARBOLIC! ACI1) DIVISION.
Silvor LaAo , H. J. ,
lay 11th, 1916.
Ur. A. 0. Emory,
Purchasing Dopt.
HAW _ HA» E K I.A.k—
Your Seam #1469. datod April 29th,
In a conforonoo hold at tho library in orange, on
Suesdcy, Ray 9th, I too informed by Ur. .Yambort that Ur. Edison had
advised him that thio Divioion v.uuld ho able tp produco ovon more than
7,000 lbo. of P. Piionol por day if ram natorlal in ouffloiont quant i-
tioo oould bo supplied. Consonantly, Ur. Ilambert thou^it it advis¬
able to provide a statomant similar to tliat contained in ny lottor
addraasod to you. on lay 6th, for tho purpono of putting you in a
position to nofjotiato for buying material equal to tlio limit of pro¬
duction which thio Divioion can turn out.
Several montho ago I otatod to 1st. Edison that no
could produco ao nuoh ao 9,000 lbo. of P. Phonol por day. Eherofoi'o,
I bog to Giro you horoaftor all tho necessary figuros for an output ofi
(a) 8,000 lbo. of P. Phonol per day, or 240,000 lbo. por month,
(bj 9,000 " '• " " " " " 270,000 " " "•
In accordanco with ny statement of Uoy 6th, the
following figures aro divided into three Groups, l.o..
First j By using 90$ Sulphuric Acid only.
Sooondj By using portly 90$ Sulphuric Acid and partly Chamber Acid.
Shirdj B? using jartly 90$ Sulphuric Acid and partly Hltrio Cato.
First* By using 90$ Sulphuric Aoid only.
Limestone
Soda. Ash
Caustic Soda
1645 galsT
11200 pounds
48000 lbs.
28000 "
6000 '*
16000 "
240000 lbs.
por month
of 30 dgrs
46368 galsT or
336000 pounds
1440000 lbs.
840000 "
180000 "
480000 "
9000 lbs.
per day
‘ l738-gilD.~
o r 12600 lbs.
54000 lbs.
31600 »
6760 "
18000 "
270000 lbs.
per month
of 30 days
‘ "52164 gals,
or 378000
lbo.
1620000 lbi.
946000
202600 •'
640000 "
Ur. A. C. Emory,
Purchasing Dopt.
5-11-16
Socondj By uoing partly 98$ Sulphuric Acid caul partly chamber Acid.
8000 lbo. 240000 lbo. 9000 lbs. 270000 lbs.
per day per month per day per month
of 30 days of 30 days
Benzol 1545 sals.
or 11200 lbs.
Sulphuric Acid 98$ 28000 lbs.
Chamber Add 28000 "
Limestone 28000 "
Soda Ash 6000 "
Caustic Soda 16000 n
46368 sals, or
336000 lbo.
1738 gals,
or 12600 lbs.
52164 Qals.
or 378000 lbs.
040000 "
840000 »
180000 "
480000 "
31500 "
31500 "
6750 "
18000 ••
945000 "
945000 "
202500 "
540000 »
Ehirdj
By using partly 98$ Sulphuric Acid and partly
8000 lbo. 240000 lbo. 9000 lbo.
nitric Cairo.
270000 lbo.
per month
of 30 days
Benzol
Sulphuric Add 90$
Uitrio Gate
Llmeotono
Soda Ash
Caustic Soda
1545 gals.
11200 lbs.
28000 "
57000 "
28000 "
6000 •<
16000 "
46360 sols, or
336000 lbs.
840000 "
1710000 •*
840000 "
180000 "
480000 »
1730 gala,
or 12600 lbs.
31500 "
64000 H
31500 !'
6750 '•
10000 '•
52164 gals, or
378000 lbs.
946000 "
1920000 '«
945000 »
202500 "
540000 »
If any further
is ventod I dll bo glad to furnish
u.
Copies to Hoeere. W. H. Uoadcmcroft, C. 11. Wllcon, S. B. Jlaatort (2).
Mr. Edison:-
\-2juU
ti
yU-*-2^_
:it!v/ithUomx'
LIMITED
jf fr'-.''1*'"
ip.c&£.
spr'i*
) agjEEi
EE PROPOSED AGREEMENT! WITHuDOMIH 1 01! IEOH AHIj SgEE
COHPAHJ LIMITED _ + °[/\
u .+ u*w
rm of agreement submitted |>y
V/e have pone over
the Dominion Company and have made only a^°h^chanp^ J^nj^ aS
seem neoessary to protect your interests. “'^Clean copies of the
redraft are submitted herewith, to^^lih^e form submitted
by the Dominion Company, the latter living the Ranges made in¬
dicated in red ink. / ~)
The paragraph in the middle if page 2 of/the Dominion
Company's draft relating to the penalty has been eliminated, as
it does not appear to be favorable to you.
The provision that the contract may be extended for a
further term of six months in the efent that you are unable to
i to be entirely at the option
of the Seller, and you would not be ^entitled to call on the Seller
furnish sufficient tank o
for this extension £
r V
D
f
if-;j
^ .
i^'
i matter of right.
r ^
r1 ,
“\v
/
7
(jicsfluvu jt_
n-t‘<
WmxMmanm.
SOURABA^A MANILA
'■s^' ) _ . “ay-15* ^.'V'^/ 6.
. «... /
••a,-'-,- 'd
U
Regarding the shipment of Phenol from
811ver Lake, we have a complaint from our people
in Japan to the effect that some of the material is
found Insoluble in water and some are found not
quite transparent when dissolved in water0
Kindly let ue know what we can say to
them0
Dfcctfcted by Hr. Nomura,
May 16, 1916
Department of commerce
iff )
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange,
Her/ Jersey.
My dear Sir:
There has been much
msnt of new Industries 1:
WASHINGTON
n''“
C%rC**&
I ,v-Lf/\ Is*'-
a^d of late wit|i ^foroyc| ,to tho,.eatablj.sh-^
said of^ la
i the United States ae a rodult of tho European
C iJLL t*i~ a&frwcJ** I? £_ ,r»-c< fl.c«J-rX t
Ho doubt many such Industrie!) have come into existence and many
v>3- tAo->K» LO^-sX.** U'-i' ' *■’*
ily enlargod . la'
others have been considerably enlargod. I am trying to obtain accurate
and definite facts on this subject. Such information can' not be obtained
through the commercial and trade organizations and I am taking the liberty
of addressing you. ./'
I hope you will be able to supply 3ome facts on the following ques¬
tions which are submitted merely as a guide for your reply:
(1) What industries have come into existence since the
outbreak of the European war, either because importations of
products which wore formerly manufactured in Europe have
ceased, or bocauoe other nations have recently been unable
to supply themselves with certain products as in normal times?
(2) What industries have been considerably enlarged
owing to the earno causes?
(3) What articles or products formerly manufactured chief¬
ly in Europe are now being manufactured in this country on a
greatly increased scale?
(4) What American-made products aro being uoed as substi¬
tutes for products which were of foroign origin and imported
into this country?
ER Squibb & Sons. NewYork / ^
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS TO THE MEDICAL PROFESSION SINCE 18a8 (\Q/
Mr. ' VTilliam H. Meadoworoft,
Assistant to
Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H. J.
Dear Hr. Meadowcroft:
I acknowledge reoeipt in due time of your favor
of the 8th instant, and thank you for same. That part
of your letter regarding the accounting matter will he
taken up by our Controller.
As to the carbolic acid delivery, 1 am sorry
to say that in the first place the quality of the acid
has given us a great deal of trouble, and v;e have had
complaints from all over the country. On the other
hand, the market seems to have weakened so that we
find that even at 90* we can not sell. Yesterday we 6*6
rejected an offer because the customer said he could
buy at 79*.
If you can suggest any improvements in these
two directions,' quality and price, we hope to hear
from you. You can always depend upon our most earnest
T’.V : 3
y
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
52-54-56 LaFayette^StreeT '
Newark, N.J. Wv^wia
Thoa. A.. Edison. Inc, / Mr w. H. Ueadowcroft
Orange, N. J. / ■ - -
Gentlemen:- i ~
in the matter?
Yours very truly, _
American Oil & Supply Co., . '<
aej/dem
(EKC. )
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
HaDJOPOULOS & SPEllCO, Inc.
May 18th. 1916.
Iir. C. v. . Markus, mrchbsinfr Agent,
Kastman Kodak Company,
i-oeheater , i! . Y.
Dear Ur. Maikus:
I trust you will not think that X am
negligent because 1 b-ve not answered your favor
of the 10th instant/ Mr. Edison has been busy
on his old stunt of working about twenty hours
a day, and it has been a very diffioult matter
to get his attention, lie is just finishing up a
special line of investigation and is going to take
up the matter of Kara >.mido Phenol, together with
some other matters that will interest you, with a
very few days.
I am hoping to have some interesting
news for you within a short time.
yours very truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
CMBMEY
; iKiaiuKii'iir IBnedwnniHsn
MASfC'u^cCTrttTiiaaauas
- ^ , »«.* ^CA(ca.v.Ut>^^La''i'
Mr. Thomas A. Edison, $ixr^L.aiic C4**"/
Orange, N. J. rtA/yvy
Dear Sir: tt, l^fe *XZu
«wvtiX.w '%^-k^.Vi la^wo-C X.(-^ -*-
At a luncheon given by'Mr'. Austin C. Dunham yesier-
cL^'t^v*' &~Lijbn. I L d ttef
day the writer and Mr. Dunham were talking over the domestic
manufacture of Intermediates a^J^f in^ah^rdyea • ^Mr ^ ^Djanhaip^ ^
suggested that I write you and'explajln just Irhat^ we v;ante.d< ,
Urwrwvef ‘Wv*. to t- *•
I told Mr. Dunham that I would be vi^ry glad to ava ilmyi^elf
of the opportunity.
On October 16, 1916, we wrote the ThomasTCT’Ed ison
On October 16, 1916, we wrote the T)
•ies in regard to Toluol Intermediate!
i plant certain high-clasi
a would go at the problem o
and the dyes would be for i
l only. We need certain
Intermediates and do not care to start from Benzol, Toluol or
Aniline Oil. We wish products further advanced than the above,
such as the following intermediates:
Par a - Am i d o -Dime thylan i 1 i n e
Michlers Ketone
. Mr. Thomas A. Edison.
May 18, 1916.
We have made sane inquiries in regard to obtaining
Phosgene but are unable to find any source of supply. We under¬
stand this gas is the one that is used by the Germans in their
trench warfare. Possibly your Company may be manufacturing
some of the Intermediates and we would be pleased to hear
from you on the subject, as well as any suggestions you wish
to give.
Very truly yours
Cheney Brothers,
Per
JPC HB
May 20th. 1916.
Cheney Brothers,
South Manchester, Conn.
Attention of Mr. John C. Cheney.
Dear Sir :
I have received your favor of the 18th instant,
which has been read with much interest. Let me say that I
am now manufacturing the following: Aniline Oil, Aniline
Salt, Acetanilid, ilitro Acetanilid, Paraphenylenediaminc,
and Carbolic Acid. 1 went into these things only to help
out the textile industries, fur dyers, and others, ~nd shall
probably shut, down these special factories after the war is
over. Just nov; the photograph people are urging me to help
them out by making Metol, Glycin; Hydroquinone and Para Amido
Ohonol. X may do so if I can got tfeo apparatus quickly enough.
If there are in my list any chemicals y;u want I.
could probably help you out.
Yourr. very truly,
M\d. muf
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rlidnjcxA <5* c> & d^< C/V^Q/cJ’oiv/ KJ0a9^
oro^ l LSc-e-A cecovci rwa-^lOP <£isj\'J> — * v5 f^vOH*rf?cJ ^W
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(^SLLSlSL - ^Ca (^ Ocrw'JB. 0-^£ /-AA- -J^OJC ffiiroAcI AV()-I lj-*
•AcftTOv^ cXaA U->-y fUaA iK/vv^w-Cj . <ii ^SmJIv. "T'.0,cj a fVfl_<XAi <XY*>
— Pouu l w«y TJivcv^ «^dnf uj-o/N,vJLa ci H0 G-u^\ <AJr c
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<0 pa4>-o~tu~«-^ "Y(V)w ^\jiVv am- ,. ■$) tv (reav^i-5- |-*-<4-vw_ a-
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'j^ (VV\, ''^CtV (XAv-t/X> c*-0 ; Oow J -^fc(\0 /'V— oa|^J^^4-$X~iX X*J /^-tT^Ut/CJi
Vw Cr-axjvii3- . >aj-o o ^VV'-tUy 2— -^6
M (5“CUv/'
Hay 35th. 1916.
The Board of Health,
Bloomfield, IT. J.
Gentlemen: y ■
I write to advise you that we have now
turned into the sewer all the waste md refuse from
my Aniline and Carbolio Plants at Silver Lake; also that
I hope to absorb any escaping gases by means of ab¬
sorbing tower, which I expeot will be in operation
next week.
Your 8 very truly.
Zurich, le 25 Mai 1916.
47 rue du Righi
Monsieur Wm. H, Meadowcroft,
Orange.
Monsieur,
Par votre lettre du 25 avril vous me demandez une autre
formula pour la preparation du paxamidophenol que celle par la reduc¬
tion du paranitrophenol avec du far et de l’acide ohlorhydrique prati¬
que jusau’ k present.
Je me fais un plaisir de vous adresser ci- joint des
donnees sur la methods e!ectrolitique/ pratiqude k oe que je sais sur
une grande echelle et donnant de hons rdsultats.
Ayant commes point de depart le nitrohenzol d'un cote et
yant 1' eleotrioite k hon marche je ne doute pas que vous en saurez
tirer partie.
Veuillez agrder, Monsieur, mes salutations ampressees.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (WITH TRANSLATION)]
Elektrolytiaohe Darstallung von
Paraamldophenol aua Hitrobenzol.
Auafilhrung dor Verauohe.
Zur Reduction warden zunaohst die DitrokBrper
event, unter Erwfirmen je nach den UmstBnden in der 5-10 fachen
Gowiohtamenge reinor cone. Sehwefelaaure gelBat. Pie orkaltete
LB8ung wurde in eine porBse Thonzelle, welohe einen Purchmesser
von 4-5 cm. und eine HBhc von 8-9 cm. besaaa, eingeflillt, dieae
in.einb circa 2 cm. weitores Beoherglaa geatellt und der Raum
zwiachen beiden mit 75-100 CJ> Sehwefelaaure angeftlllt. In die
innere Zelle tauchte die Kathode ein, welohe aua einom Platinbleoh
3 : 4£ om bestand, wahrend die Anode, die von der gleichen GrBaae
war, aioh in der ausaeren Fliiaaigkeitaschicht befand. Per Strong'
welcher einer Acoumulatorenbatterie entnoramen wurde, be8aS3 eine
Spannung von 5-6 Volt und war zur Elektrolyse im Purohsohnitt
eine Strom8tarke von l£-3 Amp Sr e erforderlich. Pie Pauer eines
Verauchea betrug je jaoh den Umatanden 18-24 Stunden. Bel der
Reaction tritt in den moisten Fallen eine lebhafte Erwarnmng
der Sehwefelaaure, in einzelnen Fallen bi3 ouf 80° Cel3. ein, aodasa
ioh bei meinen eraten Verauohen fiir Abk(ihlung der Zelle Sorge trug;
in der letzten Zeit habe ioh nioht mehr unter Kuhlung gearbeitot
und verlaufen die Frooeaae unter diesen Umatanden z. Th. sohneller.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (WITH TRANSLATION)]
Paraamiaophenol 2.
Was die Gewinnung das Reaktionsproduktes anlangt,
so soheidet sich aasselbo in den meisten Fallen in Form eines
schwefelsauren Seizes aireot aus der Sohwefelsaure ab und kann
man dasselbe duroh Filtriren liber Aspest and Abpressen auf Ton
leioht isoliren.
Darstellung von Paraamldophenol.
Znr Elektrolyse wurde eine LBsung von 20 grin.
Nitrobenzol in 150 grm. Sohwefelsaure verwandt.
Bereits nach kurzer Zeit farbt sich aie Fltissig-
keit unter immer zunehmender Erwarmung blaugriin und naoh 5-10
Stunaen 1st der Zelleninhalt zu einem aiohten Krystallbrei von
weissen Biattohen erstarrt, welohe 11b er Aspest abgesaugt una auf
Ton gotrooknot warden. Die Ausbeute an Rohprodukt belief Bioh auf
20-25 grm. Zur Reinigung kann man aie Krystalle aud Wasser Oder
zweokmassiger aus verdtlnntem Alkohol umkrystallisiren. Der KBr-
per erwies sich in alien Eigensohaften als sohwefolsaures para-
Amidophenol; aurch aoppelkohlensaures Natron konnte aaraus die
freie Base abgesohieden warden, welohe, wie angegeben, einen
Sohmelzpunkt von 186° Cels, besass.
MIHNIIININIIHHII
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (TRANSLATION)]
V.T.K.flTOOLY'illCAL PRRIV.RaTIOH OF ibliA A„:ll)0 BilKHOL I'KOM
— HITROBKi^QL
T.TiOTTTfin or i'KQCEPUKK.
For reduction, tho nitrated subs tone o is dissolved in b - 10 times
its weight of pure concentrated Sulphuric -cid, with tho aid 01 heat,
if necessary, according to cii’cumstancoo.
5ho ooolod solution io poui-od into a porouo cup haying a diameter
of 4 - C contimotoro and a hoight of from 8 - 9 fl?°”Hn^ofBphout 2 oont-
porous oup io then i>laoed in a boakor Having a ai-amotox of about 8 cent
imotors more than tho cup, and tho epaoe hotv/oon is fillo with 7b 10CV
Sulphuric Acid.
In tho innor coll is placed tho cathode of platinum S centimers by
a i/2eontimoters, while the anode which was of tho samo size is
placed in tho outer cell.
'i'ho curront is tokon from a storage battory, tho voltage boing
_ g volts end a curront donsity tliroughout tho olootrolysis of
1 l/2 to 3 omperos boing necessary, ‘file time of olootrolysis takes,
according to circumstances, 12 to 24 hours.
In tho course of electrolysis thoro is caused rapid hooting of
the ; ulphur ic° Acid? In some individual cases as
In m v first oxoorimonts it was uocossary to cool tno solution. In
later oSorimonts I did not have to cool the coll. '.ho procoss is
comolctod moro rapidly when kopt warm. rho in tho “uiphurir
cases C: ystallizes out in tho form of the sulphate in ”“° m
Acid and can bo soparatod by filto. ing through asbostos; driod on
porous plates.
PKF.PAKATIOH Of IABA AMIDO allEIIOL .
Por Kloctrolysie thoro was token a solution of 20 graramos of Uitro-
Bonzol in l&O grammos of : wlphur ic -.eid.
Cho fluid pradually bocoming warmer aftor u short tirao is colorod
bluish Proon eld aftorb - 10 hours it has thickonod to a crystalline
mss o/white crystals, which aro filtored on an asbestos filter and
driod on porouo plates.
Tho viold of crude nroduct io 20 - 2b grammes. To purify this
tho crude nroduct can bo crystallizod from wator but bettor £*°m J-*"
cohol. This produet responds to all tests of far a Amido lnonol sul-
phato. neutralizing with sodium bicarbonate, tho freo baso can bo
obtained, which has a melting point of 186° centigrade.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE (TRANSLATION)]
PABA AMIDO PHENOL
Production of Para Amido Phenol hy the electrolytioal reduction of
Nitrobenzol according to E. Darnstadter L.K.P. 164086 is hereby shown
that an eleotrolyte is used consisting of Sulphurio Acid so diluted that
Nitrobenzol is not dissolved but suspended therein. In the cathode
chamber of the electrolytic cell there is placed 1000 cc. 60$ Sulphuric
Acid and 260 grams Nitrobenzol while the anode compartment is filled
with, at the most, 40$ Sulphuric Acid, which is diluted during the
electrolysis as it has a tendency to concentrate. Carbon is used as a
cathode, lead plates is used as anode.
With rapid stirring a current of 6 amperes is passed until 200
ampere hours have been used up. At this stage 200 gramB of the Hitro-
benzol have been converted while 60 grams remains unaltered.
The solution from the cathode compartment is allowed to cool, the
unaltered Nitrobenzol separated from the rest of the contents by scoop¬
ing off from the top. The separated crystalline Eara Amido Phenol sul¬
phate is filtered off and the strength of the filtrate brought up to
60$ with Sulphuric Acid ready for another electrolysis.
This method is applicable for the reduction of other nitro hydro¬
carbons and some of the nitro bodies of the aromatic series. Example,
Para Amido Cresol can be obtained from Ortho nitro toluol., etc'.
Pe nn syevani a Tax k Line
.oui8.Mo Kepokthtg ^Lvrks“P.T.X.” <=■=“■='
Sxlarox.Pa.
Hay 25, 1916.
Ajk* \
£
Thomas A. Bill _
Orange, new Jersey .
Gentlemens /
We are in receipt of your letter of May 24th malting inquiry
ing leasing of two additional oars for the transportation of Benzol.
At the present time we do not have available any 10,000 gallon oars;
hut would have oars of this,, capacity during the month of July, if oars are
not required until ttet tinwT^are in a position to forward to immed¬
iate lv two new 8,250 gallon oars> a rental of #50.00 per month, each, for
he pleased to plaoe these oars in your
" 2 period of "ihree years at a rental of *25.00 per month, per oar.
We equip oars with steam coils and have a number of such oars in
the Benzol^ service at the present time, but understand that steam '
sz <**!.. eub-
xssxtt v.s-,r£rK
per month mileage. This greatly reduces the amount of rental.
Thanking you for your inquiry and trusting that wo might be favored
with your order whioh will be given immediate attention, we remain
Youtb very truly.
May 26th. 1916.
Mr. Luthar Zountze,
141 Broadway,
Hew fork City.
My dear Mr. Zountze:
I enclose herewith a letter from the H. Koppers
Company, Pittsburgh, pa., under date of the 24th instant,
in which they ask for data in regard to the barrel of coal
which was sent to them a little over a year ago. This was
the sample barrel you sent up to me from your coal deposit,
and on which they were to make report as to the possibilities
of utilising the same through a by-product plant.
If you care to have the data furnished to them,
I shall bo glad to forward their data sheet, or you can com¬
municate with the Koppers Company direct, if you desire.
fours very, truly,
flu'dintoiln
J(ii irmmijlimn.Ala .
kfi.o-*' y»y Sides* ’,
£xJ~L.
Iz-r*
r7^ ^ ,,
*~ tT'—1
eU4 0-*“ \* y-
Oo. ^ ^ .
tc ^ — •
ftafutttutri?
Birmingham, Ala.
^ iA<d-w-o^^ »*■ nnp-
tkrx- ^ ft %>-^- I ^3 w
A c 7a™ >4 »**-“- 1
yJ^t-yiA yt^v^~ (f* _
L^tri r
+ brd*i (Arvf^
^ ^ 0”— '
^txt^ ^
a. ^~vc=l f*— • Ip • '
(Utf(Tntnnli'r
Birmingham, Ala.
/fe. uM
t+tfh -r^a^P^-- ^
xiAAAs t/XyXZ^, & h tx(i^ oJJl
J"
U-
-^J ~JL.CU«~
l*r\_ (L ,-u~^ (r\ v^\ epf
/ i_“ — b^x^> uy^M
l^AkCL. oJL~, urx. (k** C^-
(M*A clAy^-H*- ^
U*\ (L^r-$feX4 bt^\
ifj~ uhUzZ 6r(^ b^lcKA^^ 6-*y
8-vUJUoKI | r ^
iks*ri*<< "r— ^
^cfe: f3o^>tZ^
2/ f — TK-txCy
'f
CABBOLIS ACID DIVISION.
Silver Late, N. J.,
May 26th, 1916.
Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft.
Subject: MITSUI & COMP ANT
In the letter from Mitsui & Co. dated May 15th, there is
nothing said about a special shipment or a special drum, the contents of
which did not, according to their meaning, come up to the normal standard.
The letter from Mitsui & Company speaking about our Phenol in a general
way only, I have to explain in the same general way how we are proceeding:
The Phenol for Mitsui & Co. is manufactured in the same way
as all our other shipments, which undergo, as for instance those to the
U. S. Navy, a very close test by an official of the U. S. Navy.
In regard to solubility, tho specification of the U. S. Navy
is as follows: "Place one gram of Phenol in a beaker with 20 C.C. of water,
and heat to 80 to 100 degrees Fahr. with constant stirring. The Phenol
should bs completely soluble.
In rgeard to crystallizing point, the specification of the
U. S. Navy demands that the Phenol ought to solidify above 38 degrees Centi¬
grade.
Yvhen Mitsui & Company's letter arrived to had just started
to prepare a now shipment for them, aid. have now taken an extra sample of
eaoh batch, as mentioned hereafter:
Batch No. Drum No.
348 481
350 482
357 483
358 484
361 485
365 486
369 487
110 488 to 493
Solidifying Point.
39.4
40.6
40.2
40.6
40.6
40.2
40.5.
We have tested to-day the solubility of all of these samples,
and find them answering the specifications of the U. S. Navy.
In order to be positively sure that our shipnents to Mitsui
& Co. in the future are up to their standard, I would suggest that in a
similar way, like it is done by the U. S. Navy, a test by a representative
from Mitsui might bo made in our laboratory at Silver Lake , and that ship¬
ments be made only after we have Mitsui & Company' s written agreement that
the Phenol is 0-K. I keep the above mentioned samples ready, eithar to
have them tested here in Silver Lake by Mitsui & Co., or to send them to
some expert if they want us to do so.
June 2nd. 1916.
Mr. Edwin E. Slick, Vice PreEident,
Cambria Steel Comuany,
JohnBtov.n, Pa.
Dear Mr. Slick:
Mr. Edieon has referred your letter
of May 27th to me. I wired Mr. Bacon to seo
you in regard to making some arrangements, if
possible, to have Cambria recover the acid from
our acid washings.
I hope ho will be able to make some
satisfactory arrangements with you.
Vours very truly.
I'lUr h- f ' ^/l l" ' K ^
a i 7 -/* -6wi. - ^L-'1 W
/?<^A & Sf i C;
Qy) yO/^t, JrtT?*M. O^CL-’ ^O^ ■*-*- i -
^P^ai /-4i. G> /^r-w S ''!''~‘rirv'~
._ y/-« ^ ^ co^yf^-o^D
~^F- IslM^U ^asv f' t'—t— O^-t^-C' ,
^ 77 ; <u./ £<_ So't^.
^ .
T/yts^l /h^U^j
May 3Sth. ISIS
Pennsylvania Tank Line,
Sharon, Pa.
Gentlemen:
V ic favor of the 35th instant has been reoeived,
and 1 thank you for your prompt attention to my inquiry.
I will accept your offer of two now 8.350 gallon
tank cars at a rental of §30.00 per month each for one year
lease, coinronclng Juno 1st, 1916. Dill you pie: ce, therefore,
son.l lease, and I /rill sign the same.
I noto your remarks in regard to steam coile and it
will bp agreeable to ire to have you substitute later on cars
equipped with steam coils, when we get nearer tho winter
months.
I will ask y u to ship the two oars above named
about June let, and will have my Traffio Department send you
shipping instructions therefor.
Tours
vary truly,
Itiggett
(Holnra, CMpmtt&ta, (0ila anil Mineral ijpniiinrta
> 11-18 Cuff Streets
PRINCIPAL DOMESTIC
NEW YORK 5/29/lG
'mas A. Edison, Incorp.,
;ngo, E.J.
fV°‘\ LttP* \ /A>
attention of Mr. Ifeadov/croft .
- W
ante, Ga. at the P (\./ f.
Est seined.. Fr lend
Kindly note, I hcvo in Atlanta, Ga. at the ^ A , /•
present time on freight cars as received, 494 galvanic eKS'jf -/•*
12 gunge extra heavy iron drums suitable for exportii*- -
handling sixty-six degree Sulphur io Acid or like
These drums were- sent to Atlanta to t&Kh
of sixty-six degree Sulphuric Acid purchased from
Acid Manufacturer there, who refused to make deliver]
of Aoiu claiming default of contract on my part throi
delay of one day in making delivery of drums, whief '
7/as due to a breakdown of the first car while enrol
Atlanta, necessitating same, according to railroad
records, having to undergo repairs lasting thr<
I assume the Acid Company refused to liri
to their contract on this slight technicality, al|
accounto^seeing a profit of twenty or twenty ,'1
per torf^in selling their Acid elsewhere,
having keen $55.00 per ton while the market pr?
they refused "to make contract ‘nithtwicfj according to
own letters, was $55.00 tor ton f.o.b. Atlanta.
I have instituted suit for damages against the
Acid Company, in the meantime, have been trying to dispose/
of the drums without a loss but find it is impossible, /
therefore, thought probably you might be interested in / J-
purchase of these drums at a loss v/hich I am willing to ^
make on same and v/hich will be charged in my damage suit
against the Acid Company.
These drums cost me §8.50 each f.o.b. Baltimore, Md.
with freight to Atlanta of Sojf/lOO and accrued demurrage
charges which makes the aggregate cost as I figure it today
about $10.00 each. Nevertheless, I r~ - ^ —
(i ready to take
irr^rtt
dolors , CHIjmTrala, (0tla atth Ulinrral froburta
99 John and 11-18 Cuff Streets spbciai. corrjbpondknts in au
PRINCIPAL DOMESTIC AND
FOREIGN MARKETS
NEW YORK
a substantial loss on these drums and charge same to t]
Acid Co. in my suit against them.
Can you use these drums? it *
tc learn the best price you can offer me :
f.o.b. Atlanta, Oa. or delivered Silver .ji
can help me out in this natter and at the
your own interests, v/ill a i prelate it ve:
i, will be glad
>r same cither
s' very respectfully,
SD/HS
'V
0 QJOJI'&V
'
A, v*
* V"> ^
V#
3 ' #
Ala. May 29th, 1916.
Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:
Being employed at the Benzol Plant for
the Tennessee Coal Iron & Rail Road Company,
Fairfield, Ala., which is of the German type
and am in position to furnish you any kind of information
or blue prints that would tend to make improvements
on your plant for a reasonable amount.
Trusting this will be strictly confidential
even if my offer is not accepted, and hoping to hear
from you at an early date, I beg to remain
xours respectfully,
P.S. Our production from one finishing still for
48 hours is 1200 gallons C. P. Benzol.
Box 624,
ley, Ala.
.o' >
Post Office
DEPARTMENT
CONFIRMATION OF CABLEGRAMS
Sent to- . Kt.te.tou . Tokyo . -NEW YORK, 39>»e
EFEIX
LODYC
TTKOT
KARCA
PHONOGRAPH
ORWIL
VARME
JANPA
OKS IL
PHENOL
EDISON
EKIXT
OBBON
WINND
NUZEP
EPHIJJ
VEZAB
DHAPE
AWLUR
In consequence of
new
invention
manufacturing
Phonograph
records
with
much less
quantity
Phenol
Edison
propose to oontraot
ata reasonable price
1500
pounds
daily
half year
telegraph if you oan
avail
(Be.- Shipments of sodium Sulphite) to)
Uruguay and Cuba.
In accordance with Ur. Uoadowcroft'o instructions,
I endeavored to obtain information through our Customs Brokers
as to the names of the consignors and consignees of 60,000 lbs.
of sodium Sulphite shipped to Uruguay and 30,000 lbs. shipped to
Cuba.
Our Customs Brokers, Messrs. Ulebrugge and Day, have
found it very difficult to obtain any definite information re¬
garding these shipments, as they advise that tho government-^
officials refuse to give any detailed information. Our Customs
Brokers state, however, that tho Grasselli Chemical Company, Mo
Maiden Lane, U.Y.City, and tho General Chemical Company, Mo. 25
Brood Street, U.Y.City, havo recently made shipments of sodium
Sulphite to the countries mentioned above. x-
I endeavored to get further information through 'our
Shipping Brokers, hut was unsuccessful.
Tfeu Wemmi W®mm<
The Carbolic Acid which you have been furnishing
us in the past does not keep in crystal form at the present
temperature and the cans are so poorly made that every one of
them leaks.
We request you to kindly take steps to safe¬
guard us against loss of this kind. First by supplying a
Carbolic Acid in crystal form and not in liquid form, and
second by putting it in cans which will not leak if the
acid becomes liquid in high temperature.
According to report from our factory our loss
through leaking of liquid Carbolic Acid out of the cans
is very considerable. We have called your attention totMs
fact once, or twice before and must earnestly request that
you take steps to overcome this trouble.
Yours very truly.
THE HEYDEN CHEMICAL WORKS.
jf- — v. Brc
Edwin G. Schutz, limited
FUR DRESSERS AND DYERS
12.14 ST. ELOI STREET,
Montreai., _
laboratory of
Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, IT. .T.
Gentlemen:-
Replying to your esteemed favor re Ursol D, we would kindly
ask you to favor us with price on this article aw well as sample.
Also notify us if you are putting out an article similar
to the Ursol P, which is a fur brown.
Your prompt attention will greatly oblige
SOCIETK AXONYME 1M5S AxCIEXS feumSSEMENTS « "
Dressers and Dyers of Fur Skins and Cutters of Hatters' Furs croco
Brooklyn, N.Y. _May_31a±_iai6_
, dr*
_ ‘ L/** ' .j-v .^4
iceipt of your favor and * — >
referring to your product we beg to say i
the article to be very good, but for the present i
We would appreciate it if you will let us know
if you are making any fancy Aniline Color and also^Aniline')
Salt) for future delivery.
Yours very truly,
}/ //^
s / m /i ^yC'
For Ass' t. Gen. Manager. '}
Mh:
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
June
OFFICES,
45 p»rk Place
NEW YORK
ST. LOUIS
Montreal
MERCK CO.
MANUFACTURING CHEMISTS
NEW YORK,
V v
June 3/l 6
Main Work* . .
« G/m/
Rahway, n. j.
Gentlemen: -
In further reference to your communication
of May 16th and to the samples of Sodium Sulphate and
Sodium Acetate submitted, we regret to adviee/that we
found the sample of Sodium Sulphite Anhydrous discolored
and the Sodium Sulphite Hydrous to be very pfuoh smaller
crystals than our present supplies and alsd" not yielding
a clear solution in water.
The sample of Sodium Aoetate/was considerably
discolored and therefore supplies of either of the itemB
would not be suitable for our use. /
We, nevertheless, appreciate your kindness
in submitting the samples for examination and regret
that we have not the pleasure of passing you an order.
With assurances of esteem, we are,
/' Yours very truly,
Attested: fi MERCK & CO.
laboratory of Thomas A. Edison
W1
Juno 6 th. 1916,
Mr. Dowling:
Wo are trying to drum up somo now eustomors for iUraphony-
lonodiamino , and wo have had a numhor of answers to our lot Lore. Will
you plooeo Bond two ounoo eamploB to tho following pooplo. you will
notico that those aro to ho two ounoo oamplos not ono ounco EumploB.
Please coo that tho matorial is all right and up to our standard prod¬
uct in quality. Kindly got them off as soon as poBBihlo, to tho follow¬
ing pooplo. These two ounce samploo aro to bo Bont no charge.
i,' Pchnaufor, 59 HcMurriok Stroot, Toronto, Canada.
John Pigvoa Kobe and Tanning Co., 29th and • oroet Homo ,,vo. Milwt
J.IarundQ f; Lhbrocquc, 19 - 2t Avsnuo Eontiud, uohoc , Canada.
The British Fur Com, any, 40G Bathurst Street, Toronto, Canada.
The Bliscfiold i.ooo L Tanning Co., Blissfiold, Mich,
Tho Worthing & ..Igor Co. Hillsdale, Uich.
Detroit ;ur Dressing l: Dyeing Co. 80 Woodhridgo St. West, _ Detroi
national Pur h Tanning Co., 1921 So. llith Street, Omaha, Hod.
V. ob torn Fur Dressing u Dyoing t.orko, 266 State Strut, st. Paul,
liorth star i’ur Dressing and Dyeing Works, 129 Front street, st. ■
uirao, Die.
, Mich.
Minn.
uul, Minn,
A.o follow in~. iiavo asked for one pound packages so luoaoo
ship to ouch of the following a ono pound paokuge of ,.araphonylonediamine,
and hill to them at .;4.a& -or pound. This is not to oo c . c . D. «r.
r.diGon Buia ho would tore his chance on their paying for if.
M. Bromhorg 1 Son Co., 1406 XI. liulatod Street. Chicago, Ill.
iir. Frank Martin, 486 Prospect .^vonuo, Milwaukee, tie.
V,. II. J.EADOV.CKOB1!
Juno
1916.
Kr. Stanley boggett,
99 John Etreot,
How York City.
Door ;.lr. boggott :
X received your favorof the a9th ultimo in regard
to 494 galvanized iron drums which you now havo at Atlanta, Ga.
V.c are prott well fixed for drums just now, and have addition¬
al shipments on the way, which woro ordered como months ago.
However, I showod your letter to i,tr. Edison, thinking
that ho might bo inclined to toko a ohanco on ordering como
additional stuff, but ho cannot boo liic way clear to buying any
more drums just now, as wo shall havo an amplo supply for our
noods for sorno time to como.
Ho wishes :ne to thank you for giving him tho opportunity
to acquire com of those drums.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to iir. Edison:
Juno 5 til. 19X6
i,. & s. Chapal I’roree & Co.,
413 'uilloughby Avonue,
Brooklyn, i{. Y. Attention of tar. v.m. lutz.
Gentlemen;
Your favor of tlio Klst ultimo has boon roceivod,
and I am glad to learn of ■ our good opinion of the Para-
phenylonediemine produced at my factory.
replying ;o your inquiry, lot me say that I am not
making any fancy Aniline colors, but I am making Aniline Salt
on ordor for two or throe of my customers. If you would like
to bo included among my customers for this ciiomical, I Eliould
be glad to hoar from you as to what quantity you would uso, say
per wook or per month, l.o can moke fairly quick dolivory.
Yours very truly.
Juno bth . 1916.
Edwin G.'fehutz, limited,
12 St. iiloi Street,
Montreal, Canada.
Gentlemen;
Your favor of the Slat ultimo has been received,
and X take pleasure in aending you b„ this mail a sample of
paruphenylonodiamino. Before you try Uiis, lot :o call your
attention to the fact that this iG a base, and, therefore,
of full strength. Ursol l> was a hydrochloride of this base,
and, therefore, not as strong. You ought to got the same re¬
sults with about two-thirds of our 1’arap henyl onediamine as
you got with tho other material.
;.:y urico for scot lots of paraphony lone diamine is
^4.00 per pound- If you wish to contract for your require¬
ments until tiio ond of December, 1916, I can make. you a con¬
tract prico of v3.7b Por pound- I allow 1‘. for cash.
I expect in the near future lo be in the market ith
on article which ie also a base of trsol 1, for a fur brown.
1 am not in position, however, to speak of this definitely
for a week or two.
Kindly address your reply for attention of fir.
iieadowcroft.
Yours vory truly,
June 5th. 1916.
Mr. Goorgo Otis Smith, Director,
Department of the Interior,
Unitea States Geological survey,
Washington, D. C.
Dear Sir:
Referring to our previous correspondence in re¬
gard ta the quantity of Benzol and other light, oils obtained
from Mr. Edison's Benzol Plant jat Johnctow:., Pa., wo are now
about ready to roport to you, but Mr. Edison wishes mo to
ask you' wh t you mean by value, at the works . Do you mean the
cost of production, including ovorhoaa expenses? If so,
should the cost include any royalty which might bo paid by Mr.
Edison.
por your information, -I would Bay that Ur. Edison also
has a Benzol Plant at the Works of the Woodward Iron Company,
Woodward, Ala. DO you also wish to have similar information in
regard to this plant. If so, will you ploaso concha separate
card for tho same.
fours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
&HU. (Lo
135 WLLIAM STREET.
'VJOK'K.
— . . “I®
June 6, lflifr.
Vi
rar complaint of May Slat about
Messrs. Thomas A. Edison, Inc.,
Orange , Hew Jersey.
Gentlemen: -
Referring to <
Carbolic Acid arriving at our factory in liquid state and with
the cans leaking, we beg to advise you that the shipment, which
7/e received yesterday leaked very badly when it arrived, V.'e
consequently weighed every can and found a shortage of 45 lb3.,
divided up as per enclosed list.
Kindly advise vis in what manner you propose to adjust
this difference, and v/hat you expect to do in order to avoid similar
losses.
Our Factory Superintendent, with whom we have t alien
up this matter, advises that the Carbolic Acid which v;e get from
you is not completely crystallized and that the cans, v/hile they
seem satisfactory for a solid product, do not hold Carbolic Acid
in liquid state. He furthermore calls attention to the extreme
danger for the people v/ho have to handle this product in liquid
or semi-liquid state.
Under the circumstances we again urgently request that
you hold your Carbolic Acid until it is completely crystallised and
Thos. A. Edison, Inc.
(2)
June 6, 1916,
ao not ship any that is in liquid state.
V/e also request you to kindly insiBt that the truck
operators v;ho take the Carbolic Acid from your works cover the
drums up so as to protect them against the effect of the sun,
as this may melt the Carbolic Acid, in view of the low melting
point of your product.
Trusting that you will give this matter your careful
attention, we remain,
Yours very truly.
GS/F.
THE HEYDEH CHEMICAL T7 0BE3 .
Enel,
Pres 't,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
June 7th. 1916.
Mr. Edison:
After mating some inquiries I have gotten down to the
root of the trouble. We get our galvanized iron cans from the
American Can Company. It seems that they are trying to turn out
a package made entirely by machinery, and we have been getting
some of them. It transpires, therefore, that these machine made
cans are not as perfect as the old steel cans which were made by
hand.
We have had their manager over to the place, and he
says that he will immediately begin to deliver the old style
hand made packages and continue same until they have experimented
further with their new machinery.
X suppose we will have to allow the Heyden Chemical
Juno 7th. 1916.
Door :x. howling:
1 have heon trying to strike up come trade on Sul¬
phite of Soda, and havo got two inquiries from swodon. Ehoy
aro from tlio following parties;
Porcy Lundwall & company,
Vaotra Iiamng,
Gothenburg,
Swodon.
Aktioholagct Axel Chrlstiernsson,
post Box 232,
Stockholm, Sverige,
Sweden.
I havo written to thorn stating that wo wore sonding
to them samples of Sulphite of Soda, Hydrous and Anhydrous, by
express prepaid, bill you ploaso show this memorandum to Ur.
Mason and as!: him to provide you v.i Ji liberal samplos of good
material in each caso, and then havo them safely packed and
shippod by express prepaid to the parties above named.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
\lljL£L k (< &V~ c^Crf
/
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/ y 1 (CCcZ'C; CtTcK-S fi~ f
//£*.«/
frr/'. /;f? June Vth 1916.
■>Wm. H. Meadoworoft,
Mr. P. A. Edison, Orange, N. J. txJe if fp 'Ivtw.f
Lqar Mr. Meadoworoft,
with, hosiery-
olining market’, that 1b
^V\6- <oU.u k«i '
Your favor of the Sth^has fe eita^ly Mdn a /
&UL /(.via l7) <z{<u£*
f to me. It has longHpgpn a neoeBdii 7 UC~~~
kHVVF fuwj l' f-tn lr£ ) ’
ere of our class tlA follow!**, a dfe-
, Oj^dc: o-rTi/fe-w-
market hefe declined hy the
GVH
if the
time of delivery we rauBt meet this lower) price, however, if
the market advances we then must delivery at the price at
whioh the \sal e was made. How we the class of goods we man¬
ufacture varies in price from 60^ to about 75^ per dozen
aooording to the price of raw material plue the demand. Right
now the market is 76^ but not strong, although it is impossible
to figure one penny of profit at the prje sent market price of
various commodities, While Ifaere are nbt more than fifteen
mills of any Bize nakdng this class of cheap merchandise,
oompetetion is very keen, and it is fearfully hard to do
better than make a fair living. How several of our most
formidable competitors have got Oil at\ prominent umong
whom are the Parker Hosiery Mill & Dye WorkB, Portsmouth, Va.,
Loudon Hosiery Mills, Loudon, Tenn., Delaware Hosiery Co,,
Wilmington, Del,, and many others, while what few left out
of the fifteen cent oil, are all taken oare of at 40j^ exoept
• //Mw/ frr/,'- 7th 1916.
Mr. W. H. Meadoworoft, #2.
Runnymede Mills and ourselves. We of course had no hope
of getting in with the fifteen cent olasB hut we did hope
that we would not have to he left alone paying a higher
prioe than any of our competitors. Of course we know that
there is not as much profit in 40 / Oil as there is in 60/
Oil, hut we did feel that there was a sufficient profit
to Justify Mr. Edison in putting us on the sane basis that
the General Chemical Co. have done their customers. If it
interfered with his plans, as I explained to you when there
recently, he could hill the Oil at 60/, and at intervals
of every three months or even at the end of six months
he oould refuhd twenty cents, and if he wished this arrange¬
ment kept absolutely inviolate, we would guarantee, to do so
under a forfeiture of jfche r abate. If the class of goods we
were making showed any profit we vould not pursue the Buhjeot
any further, hut it iB: going to he a desperate matter to break
even under present conditions, and if you oan help us_it will
certainly he greatly appreciated.
Awaiting the pleasure of your reply, I am.
Your b very truly,
Ere si dent .
Juno 8th. 1910 .
Mr. C. ... Markus , Purchasing Agont,
..GEtman Kodak Co:.. pony,
Uoehostor, il. ,Y.
Boar Mr. Markus:
1 suppose you liavo been expecting to hoar further
from us in regard to the matter of Para Amido Phenol, -he only
reason for tho dolay has boon that lir. Edison has boon oxcood-
ingly busy on very important rn&ttors, and has boon unublo to
give his ■'orsonul attention to tho case. Iio has nov; gone into
the matter with our Chemists, and has finally dooided to go _
into the manufacture of para Amido Phenol, -ho details of tho
nlant are being laid out, and some of the . .atorial is already
on tho ground* -ho making of the apparatus will bo put in hand
at once, and I think chat within the noxt five or six wooks
we shall bo turning out a regular supply.
In tho meantime. Hr. Edison wants to mako sure of mak¬
ing a duality that will bo acceptable for photographic purposos,
and. ho "has asked me to write to you and ask if you will send mo
a sample of one or two ounces. Ho would rather got it from you,
as ho considers that you aro headquarters and that you would be
able to let him have the right kind of material.
Awaiting tho favor of you r reply, I remain,
lours very truly.
issistant to hr. Edison.
Juno Oth. 1910 <
i.!r. Dowling;
Horowith you dll plouoo find original lottor I have
writton to iho . itucburgh cruehod ;)tool company, . ill you f loaoo
issue a roouioition to the i-urchueiiift Dopartmont to confirm t . is
lottor by a regular purohnoing orfior.
i>loar.o forward your requisition to tho lurchaaing De¬
partment, attaching thoroto my original lottor, which will bo
iorv.araoc' by tho urohaGinn Dopartmont to tho Pittsburgh Crushod
tool company with Iholr purchasing order.
'..hie lottor ic written in aecordunuo with i.ir. Kdicon'e
inEtructionn, and wo aro going to try tho pulvorisoil iron ao an
oxj crimont. l,\r. iidicon hue clroady explained it to tir. Chrioton-
aon.
jfor convenionco and to muko our files eolf-oxplanatory,
X oneloeo horowith carbon copy of this memorandum, v.hiihyou can
aleo attach to my lottor, togothor with your roquiflltion. tliie
will explain mattore to tlio i?ur chasing Department.
. . :i. Mil lDO CEOF S •
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
Subject; P._ PHENOL FCR THE U.. S._.lWIX/._
I am aorry that two batches intended for the Navy were re¬
jected by Lieut. Comdr. Kimberly, owing/to a solidifying point lower than
3Q° C. According to your instructions^ I have been in communication over
the 'phone with Ur. Kimberly, and am n6w preparing two other batches to be
submitted to his repeated test. /
It unfortunately so happened for the first time, that Mr.
Kimberly was testing the Phenol on an exceedingly wet and humid day; in
fact, I believe the humidity was almost as high as it possibly can be.
Under such circumstances the time which it takes to drill a sample out of
the hard crystallized Phenol is fully onough for the Phenol to draw suffic¬
ient humidity out of the air to lower the solidifying point more or less.
Mr. Kimberly, when conducting the last test, showed to me how, in about
one-half minute's time, small crystals of Phenol of about one-eigith inch
diameter. placed upon a lmife/could be seen partly to dissolve in the open
air. Now it is further to be taken into consideration that Ur. Kimberly,
instead of testing the solidifying point, as is usually done^on a quantity,
enou^i to fill one of our normal sample bottles, is testing one small cry-
The new batches for the Navy will be ready some time to-mor
(Friday, the 9th), and as soon as our own teBt has been made I will send a
letter by messenger to Mr. Kimberly informing him that the Phenol is ready
for his inspection.
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
4^;
Silver Lake, H. J., ^ tl
June 9th, 1916 „
llr. W. H. lleadowcroft;
Subjects PHENOL FOR THE U. S. NAVY
The temporary interruption of our distilling plant un¬
fortunately prevents me from getting the full shipment for the U. S.
Navy ready to-doy, the last batch intended for the Navy just being
in course of completion when the fire, which I report separately,
broke out.
I do not think that the interruption of our distilling
department will last more than a couple of days; in fact, I hope to
start up again Monday, or at the latest, Tuesday,
I would ask you to kindly let me know if such an accident,
being a clear case of force majeur , does not stop for the time that
we are hindered to manufacture, the penalty to be paid the U. S. Navy
for the delay.
Please let me know also if I had not better at any rate
send Lieut. Comar. Kimberly a letter informing him of the situation.
Juno 9th. 1916.
Ur. Louis lasard,
92 V.illiom Street,
Hew York City.
Uy dear Ur. Lasard:
I received your favor of tho sixth instant in re¬
gard to tho importation of chemicals from abroad. I showed
it to ur. Edison. Ho is vei'y busy just now and scarcely has
time to make up any list, but ho wishes mo to toll you that
Sodium nitrite will soon be wanted by us. It is now imported
by Tenant & Company, and they charge 12^ per pound.
I shall be glad to hear from you in due time as
to whothor you can do anything on this line.
.yours very truly.
Assistant to Hr. Edison.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
J (n^GV
WASHINGTON
Mr. ffm. H. Meadowcroft,
Assiatant to Mr. Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, New Jersey.
Dear Mr. Meadowcroft:
In reply to your letter of June 5, 1916:
The desired value at the works, of the benzol or other light oils
obtained from the Edison plants, is the selling value, or, if the products
were not actually sold, the closest approximation of such value had those
products beon marketed. This would include the cost of production, including
overhead expenses and royalties, and such profit as might have been derived
from the sale of the products in open market. It is realized, of course, that
if they wore not sold, the value thus derived would be largely a matter of ob-
It will be appreciated if you will furnish also similar figures in
connection with the Edison benzol plant at the works of the Woodward Iron Com¬
pany, at Woodward, Ala., duplicate blanks for which are sent herewith, togeth¬
er with an envelope for the return of the information. The report in which
these figures will bo incorporated is now in course of preparation.
INCLOSURES (4)
EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
ROCHESTER, N.V.
June 9,19 I 6.
Dear Mr. Meadowcroft :
It affords us much pleasure to have the
opportunity of sending you today a tv/o ounce sample of
Paramidophenol which represents what we consider a standard
quality of this chemical.
Y/e are very glad to know what your plans
are so far as the production of this article is concerned and
we hope that we will hear from you again when you are ready
to rerort further progrest
Yours tru:
Mr. T/.H.Meadow croft,
Laboratory Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, H.J.
ADDRESS REPLY
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
o^. jt**r 'jfgrfcu,
f
June 12, 1916
, C. I^aory,
Purohooinc Agt.,
0 range M.
X noticed ootaing through tho noil tho other day a letter iron
Buttorworth-Judaon Co. notifying ue, in roply to a latter wri tten them
hy aowe ono, of tho diooontinuunea of furthor old, non to of Mixed Acid,,
until furthor notice.
you aro probably not awaro that Butte rworth-Budson Co. purchase
from uo tho rooovorod Sulphurio Add, of tor our operation of nitrating
Bomol hoe boon porfonood. In doing thin thoy have providod uo with special
oars in which this rooovorod C-uiphurio Aoid ic roturjiod to thota. I was only
able quite roctatly, after nuoh poruuaeion, to huvo tliiu concom forward thooo
opooiol oaro, und now if thoir future ahipmonto aro to bo stopped, and tho
recovered Acid permitted to run through tho oewar, a loaa will bo incurred by
this Division.
The earn in question oro D.J.X. 237, 233 and G.A.T.X. 3043. I
tiiinl: a hotter way would liavo boon to uok tho Ciofaoral Chemical CO. to loouon
their ehipaonte and divido our monthly roquiroaonto betwoon thorn. In any
event I loavo tho mattor in your hando for adjuotnont.
youre very truly.
Copy to Hr. Kollow andJJr.,Woadqworqft»
jjr. a. ilcDowell, Prosident,
Scotland bock Cotton i.lills ,
Scotland ilock, H . C.
Pear :ir. ilcDowell;
I roeeivod your i'avor of the 7th instant, which I
shood to iir. Edison, and we discussed tho matter very fully.
By way of explanation let me say that a year ago
one of tho hig producing companies started in to i:.al:o some
contracts under which the customor got tho oil at 1 b<f t..e
second year. Soon after their traveling representative went
out with those contracts tho pricos of raw materials began
■ to soar and they withdrew their representatives from the field
temporarily until they could roviso their prices. In tne mean¬
time, those reoresentatives had ado a few contract, and un-
fortunately for you, some of your competitors were in good luck
and had signed, up on the throo year contract which gave them
tho oil at lbcf for the second year. >.o cio not think they will
ret a similar opportunity for a very long time to eomo, if evor.
'i'ho concern I refer to is getting .uch higher i>nces for oil
now and evon next year.
Under tho exceptional circumstances related by you,
wo aro willing to help you' out, but cannot go below 45 4. Be¬
ginning July your hills will he at tho now contract prieo, 60?,
and tho othor wart of tho arrangement will ho carried out in _
two and throo month ooriods, as cuggostod hy year le Uor. -his
arrangomont must he kept ahsolutoly confidentially, ana we _
shall oxpoct you to kindly do so under guarontoe as suggestod
hy your letter.
Yours vary truly.
assistant to iir. Edison.
in*
_ iC
0/6
A
'Y^o
(\\jJA See jf ^
Cl&A~s
c| ^JlsZ^A.-
X
AAa<~
C-CiJ
(Qctidcn/.
June 13th, 1916.
Peoples Bank,
St. Paul, Minn.
Gentlemen: - r I I jfc <^V~' \ *
V/e have been referred, tb you hy the Uvh*-/
North Star Fur Dressing and Dyeing Works, Messrs. \
PodlaBky Bros. Proprietors, St'. Paul, Minn.
Any information 'you may be able /
give us regarding this concerns finanoial responsibility
general reputation, how long they have beendn business, —J
and how long they are dealing with you as well s ny /
other details which would be of servioe to ua in /
determining on a line of oredit to be granted them (
will be greatly appreciated held strictly confidential X
and without responsibility to yourselves.
Thanking you in advance and assuring you
of our willingness to co-operate at any time, we remain,
w icbAZ>
[ON BACK OF PREVIOUS DOCUMENT]
St. Paul, Minn., June 16th.,'-' 19 lb.
'■ KVv;-
Thomas A.'-tdiso'n, Incorporated,
J .
' 1 V BA** iemeSi &' ’ ' T
• " ■ rne parties referred to onv the ^bpcro- r,
‘ i;'site‘--eide 'of this sheet are valueuWetbrn-,^^
ere of this Bank. We have and are
them accommodations. Their business wlth,^u^\'^
is satisfactory ana we do not doubt but -
they will take oare of any obligations they\ \"
might have.
Velfy. truly yours,
PEOPLES BANK OF SAIHT PAUL
(. PTX^EIVED
JUN 19 1516
1,#%
l X
H E. f£ PHILIPS \
W. H. PARSONS
MANUFACTURER’S AGENT AND BROKER
17 CHARLES STREET
NEW YORK /") _
Qry
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Mj£ K
Juno 14, 1916.
Kr .William K.lieadowcroft ,
Assistant to
Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N.J.
liy dear Kr .Keadowcroft,
Owing to the long delay in receiving
your two last shipments of Phenol caused hy the traffic con¬
gestion and the decline of the market price of Phenol, has
placed us in a wrong position .
You , have charged us 77& £ per lh.
and our present stock is 12000 lb si The market price is 65 jf.
Under all these circumstances I would ask you to please have
KT .Edison inform us, what price he will make us on the stock,
now in our hunds^ and how he will place us, so a3 to enable us
to market your product with a reasonable profit.—
We are anxious to build up this business
for you, but we must, of course, have your cooperation, and
placing the situation thus frankly before you, we arc confident
that ITr .Edison will meet us in a manner that will be satisfactory
to both sides.
Hoping to hear from you by an early mail,
Mr .William H.Meadoworoft,
F.s. Fifteen drums of the Phenol juBt received after such
long delay, have been found by our laboratories to contain red
acid. Please let us know whether you wish us to return it to you
or what disposition we shall make of it. _ x
Juno 15th. 1916.
Mr. H. liason, Engineer, or,
lir. v/. S. Dowling, ilanagor.
Aniline Division,
Silver LeJce, il. J •
Dear Sir:
,:x. il. icon's ozrprees roquost I write
this letter authorising you to allow Col. Bryant,
Lir. loach and Dr. Szamatolcki to go •through the
nniline and -henol Slants. Col. Bryant is tiio com¬
missioner of labor of the State of Bow <1 orsey ,
and the other gentleman are also connected with
that Bureau.
Yours very truly.
assistant 10 lir. liaison.
Very truly yours,
fWj I
2iurich, Juno I5th, 1916.“'
Thomas A.. Edison, I5sq.,
0 r a n « «
Dear Bir:-
X duly received your favor of Iiay 23rd and in compliance
with your request I have delivered to the American uon.-ml tioneral
in this city the process of pnraphenylenediamino which io onolosed
in this envelope requesting him to have it forwarded to yon.
Duplicate will follow hy next mail.
I bog to remain, dear uir.
Yours truly,
^ ' rW .
CJX . c
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
?AB~IGATIOH PB LA P AR A.P1II--H Y LRIi F.D I At? I II R .
La pur aphenyleno d i amino prana naisaanco par reduction do
l'amidoazobonzol an moyen ao la poussidre do zinc on bain nquoux.
APPASSIIS;
A, Chandron on fonto omalllde- d it apparoil A sulfone -
capacitd 250 litres environ; agitatnnr mdcnninue.
II oat ass is amis one onvo on bois pitohopine
formant bain-mario et assez spacioux pour pormottra
ae refroidir A la glace i morooeux ). Yuyautorie
ndcon3Hiro pour l'eau et la vapour pour lo cbauffago
au bain-marie.
3. Thcrmomc'tre onfermA anna un tuyau ae cuivre, forma
a'un cotd,
C. Vase on grSs ae 100 litres environ ou ii drffaut nno
petite cuve en bois avcc robinet on bas; sort pour
emmngasiner la solution au nitrite do soude ; il
est placd mi-aos-us au chaudron,
I). Deux A troi3 marmites dmailldes do 300 3. 500 litres.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
-2-
E. Appareil ddstillateur de 300-400 litres aveo acoessol-
res ndoossaires pour oondonsation et rdfrigdration.
P. Edservoir en tSle, forme cilindriqtie, do 400-500 litros
servant do ddcanteur pour l'anilinn oonflonsde aveo
vapeurs d'eau.
G. Kdservoir en tole, forme reotnnpulaire, 1,20 m x 1 m
x 0,80 m servant >1 lever 1' amidoazobonzol brute.
H. Sdchoir; double fond, plom& en fonts, de fojfae sphdriquo
avoc rebord. Diamdtre 1,20 m; profondour aveo robord
350 m/m; profondeur sans rebord 150 m/m.
I. Moulin.
K. Doublofond fonte; 400 litres environ, Couvercle formant
bermdtiquement en fonte, aveo agitateur^muni d'un rdfri-
gdrant & flux et A reflux; doit se combiner, s’il y a
lieu, aveo appareil rdfrigdrant pour condnnsation/al-
oool etJ'altij&tid.
1. Doublefond A dvaporer afin de oonoentrer les enux
chargdes de par aphenylenedi amine.
M. Vases en grSs ou marmites dmailldes & oristallise^ de
50 & 60 litres.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
II. Frdparation do 1* Amidoazobensol.
Pans lo chaudron -A- on ports:
Xos.60.- Aniline pure, qu'on m\'mo A la temperature de
5-10“ Cels, moyennnnt de la place on de I'eau
glacdeedans lo bain-marie; puis on met l'agi-
tatour on maroho ot on fait cooler dans 1' ani¬
line lentomont en ayant soin qu'il n'y ait
guftre d' elevation do temperature
Kos.25.- d'acido chlorhydrique 21°B(5 ( p.spec. 1,1) ).
Aprfts 1' introduction de I'acifle ohlorhydriquo^,
on fait tourncr encore pendant deux hour os.
"nsuito on ohauffe ft SS^Cels. ot on fait
cooler lontomont dans l'eopaoo ae dflux houros de tempo environ, une
solution do
K03.50.- Hitrito do sonde 20;’ ; p. spec. 1,14 ) on
pronant no in quo la temperature no d (;paaao
pas la limito indiqndo.
Lo nitrite oould, on laisse tournor lo diazo-
cncoro pondant deux heures et on nrre'te onsuite, pour lainsor reposor
lo melange ft tompdrature ordinaire pondant 24 houros, temps niioessairo,
poor la transformation on amidoazohonotll.
. « Yk • •• - }
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
-4-
On transvnse Sans une marmite dmnillde- 400 litres-
et on y ajoute pen A peu en bra3snnt bien
environ Koe.12.- de 30ude oaustique 40‘,Bo ou la quantity
ndoossaire pour rendre franoheraont alcalin, oe dont on so rondra compte
par une dpreuve. Le mdlange alcalinisd d’amidoazobenzol et d'aniline
eat portd ensuite dans un appareil double-fond-ditstillatour-E- en
fonts ou en cuivre^dans lequel on n mis d'avanoe ISO litres d'eau.
].' aniline ost chnssde par un courant dc vapeur direct, recneillie
par le rdfrigdrant et ddoantdo/ pour rentrer A nouveau dans le courant
de la fabrication,
be rdsidu dans le distillateur , ddlibdrd de 1' ani¬
line est, aprAs refroidissnment vers 60° Cels, tmnsvasd dans un rdser-
voir en tole 1,20 m x 1 m x0,80 m pour y etre lavd A pins lours repri¬
ses A grande eau/jusqu’A rdaotion neutre. On jotto ensuite sur des
f litres et on laisse dgoutter A fond, Ensuite on le porto dans une
marmite dmaillde, tarde. afin de connfiitre son poids; on brasse et
remue intimdment pour en faire une bonne moyenne et on fait par
dpreuve une ddtermination de la maiifire sScho. Basd sur oetto analyse,
on oaleule la quantitd ndoessaire d'aoide ohlorhydrique pour la
transformation en ohlorhyflrato d' amidoazobenzol qu'on verso, peu A
peu dans la marmite en bras3ant bien,
Finalement on ports 3ur un sdohoir double-fond
plombd, chauffd A la vapeur A dekappement libre. La masse, bien
remude, fond en bouillie homogAne ; on y verse ennore environ
de la quantitd calould et ddjA employd d’aoide ohlorhydrique et en
brassant de temps on temps^ on dvapore A siocitd complAte. Bans
un monlin en fonto on ramAne en poudre fine.
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
III. KOduotion de l'rimldoftsobnngol.
bans un double-fond- il- nmdnngd A chauffer
et A. reftfoidir, aveo. agltntonr ot cohobatonr ( rdfrigdrant <) reflux )
on porte:
20 litres d'alcool 8.r^i ot
40 Kos. chlorhydruto d'amidoasoborizol pulvdrlsd.
Apr As avoir fait tournor qnelquo temps,,
pour bien humectr-r la masse,, on y vorso
120 litres d’enu at on ehnuffc lontomont vers 6f)°Cols.
Un comnonce nlors A ajoutor, par potitos
portions, pou A peu
l'.os.Su,- do poussiSro de Kino do bonne qualitd. on
dvitant . quo la tompdraturo monte au-delA do 75* Cols.
.Apr A 3 quolquoo houros- 4 hour on on moyen-
ne- lorsquo l’addition de la pov.ssiSre de Kino ost terminoe, on
chnuffe .‘jusqu'A 85-90*0015.; on maintiont cotte tempdraturo pendant
unc honre an mo ins.
on arroto aloro lo ohauffago pendant un
instant ot dfts quo l'dhullition do l'aloool s'est apaisdo on ajoute,
kos. 18.- do carbonate de sonde on poudro ( Soudo
Solway )
pour rondro alcalin. Si une dpreuve a montr <5 une franche ulcnllnitd,
on transforme le cohobatour on frdfrigdrant descendant ot on rooommonoo
do nouveau A chauffer pour chassor d'abord l'ulcool^qu’on reoouille,,
ot qu’on fait passor onsnito A la colonno. l'aloool onlov^on injooto
de la vapour d'ean pour fairo passer 1* aniline formdee par la rdduotion
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
at qui pent rentrer de nouveau dans la fabrication.
La quantity est de 10-12 log. environ.
\prda otro ddbarnsad ae I’alcool ot do
1’ aniline le oontonu chaud do l'appnreil passe par un filbro.
La solution flltrde r informant la parapheny-
!*„.«!»*» M VoMo M. . •«**•*»• *— "*"*•
i,a rdsiflu du filtrc^lavd avec un peu d'eau
-17 nnn-r* v subir un second bouillon avoc
chaude est remis dans 1* urparexl pom »
60 li' res d’eau environ pennant v-1 heure, r.ixn de bicn 9ih.rtl.iic lo
reste de la paraphenylexftiaminci or, f litre onsuitc 4 neuveau.on lave
A 1* eau olmude ot laisse bien gutter. -Unsi lave^lo rdsidu est
remind, s’il y a lieu do fa ire encore un autre bouillon; autrernen.
on lo junto do cotd. routes los solutions filtrdos sent reunion avee
la promidre solution et eont evapordos et concentres 4 un volume
. . .»-r„ aur un petit dchantillon prdlovd
do 50 ft 60 litres environ, on fera cur un
VMOTrtM. «. » .rt.hUU.tM =•«•«• *• •* concontr.«o».
„ !. p„t0 «»» »• ».-"»« •» ”lr”Wlr
ot cristnlliser pendant deux jours.
riltrft par la suite, il rosto our iiltro do
.,os.io._ a 20.- do paruphenylerAianiinr on crintuux.
tjnnnt aux-mfires, on rdunit gdnftralomont
plnrioars op*r.tl«» Mth. »wta 1~ ~ 1
aa . f*. ao„ o. I«r r.troiaip.-ont o»
tont lo .. 1. porapwiawai-ino pops f» » « «““***»<»-
dtant insoluble dans l’ncide chlorhydrique .
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
jioa.60.- Aniline pure
•< 12.- nitrite do soude
" 12.- Soude caustinue 40 Bd
’’ 100.- Aeide chlorhydrique
" 2u.- j'-loool 85/i>
" 30.- PoussiSre dezino
" 20.- Soude solwny
1.50
85.-
25.-
12.-
1.50
50.-
12.-
K.os.12.- Aniline do ret
& Fra. 1.20
Xus. 18.- Faruphenylendiamine
1 X. = Krs.8.50
(out
Un. UyUi £cnt- & sU**-/*-
p.u,.i„ ijA~‘XC~ -tptA uuuLi 1'm4uU<~U
■j\ riw^ "tb /^LC StUyC-t^u^m, AA'UQ-'d Jf tT~~
y(/^Volui/3 i«v\ ^ P-1^ ^,l"^ /'
’Ll,.,
L^L *4uts L ‘Um
<n iyMt«A u*J&? i ^ Wr1
/ Aj- Fi l-fc. WUu, ip ff
JTV.
?f up. luv Puc/< IK^f" Au &■«-<*,
ua-w; ^ ». I*
t <-uL UTl SH° +
CLu*_><> u^k'
^Sfllrt Uttnnu^’^
7
Aft
(B e rt t.- single copy. )
American Consulate-General
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND
June 16th, 1916.
I’r. Slioraas A. Edison,
Orange, I7ov/- Jersey.
Sir:
I have to acknowledge the roooipt of your letter
of ray 23d, enclosing a cliook for Istn. 41.15.0, drawn
in favor of Br. %. hneeht, •./hone address in 47, Hue da
Eight f Surich, v.hioh you request this' office to hard to
to hr. moclit in exchange for a certain chemical process,
providin'/ wo arc satisfied that hr . ICneoht's ropresenta-
tions are corroct,- to the effect that lie in a chemical
engineer of the Federal Xolyteohnic&l School at Zurich
and holder of the Eootor of Philosophy Becree of the
Ihiivors ity in Surioh, and has also he an in the employ
of the French Forks of the Badischo Anilin ar.d Soda
Fahrik as well as of the Vsinos du Phone at Zc. Plains ,
near Geneva. -
Xn reply X have to state that X;r. Fneoht has called
at this Consulate-General today ar.d erhihited various do¬
cuments, contracts, etc., indicating that his representa¬
tions to you are true. X have therefore,- in view of your
special request,- to transmit herewith a letter addressed
to you from Ir. haocht, enclosing what purports to ho the
description
-2-
dosoription and formlao for -the Manufacture of parapfceny-
l&nodiauino . -
»t is understood that a duplicate of liis description
‘■'■'it'1- formulae vvill 1)0 forwarded in a subsequent uail.-
I an, Sir,
Very respectfully yours
?ranclE V, Veene
*_ or io. ■ Consul-Senc-ral .
Undo euro as stated,
055.7
Juno 19th. 1916.
Doar I.ir • howling:
I hand you herewith a littlo correspondence wo have had
with tho Scotland Hook Cotton Hills in rogard- '.o thoir Aniline Oil.
Ur. iichowoll was up horo a wook or two ago and raado an explanation
of tho poculiar position in which ho is plaood, and askod if wo
would favor him . ith a rohato on tho now contract, Hr. Edison do-
clinod to do so at tho time, hut in viow of tho roprosontationo mado
in Ur. Uchowoll’s lottor of tho 7th instant, Hr. Edison agrood to
rohato him down to 46$/ por pound on tlio now contract.
iou will see from this eorrospondoneo that all shipments
on now contract aro to bo hilled at 60$/, and at intervals wo aro
to solid him a rohato hill bringing tho prico down to 46$/. 1 think
wo hod hotter do this at intorvalo of two months.
'iou con koop thdiBO copies of tho eorrospondoneo in your
files , together . ith this memorandum, which will ho your authority
for making the rohato.
IV. H. UEAEOY/CHOET.
Enclosures .
WOODmRD IROX CoaiPAXY ty. !>!' x
WOOIHC«a)1ALA. Jure 19, 1916.
Mr. Thos. A. Edison,
Orange , H. J.
Dear Sirs- •
We are in reooipt of yours of the l6th.
We are entirely willing to pay one-half of the $516.10
mentioned in your letter, being the compromise covering shiprant
of naphthalene to tha Pacifio Ooast.
We note what you say in regard to all of us being new
at this business. So far as we are concerned, we are entirely
satisfied with the way you handled this flaked naphthalene busi¬
ness and appreciate your assistance in the matter very muoh.
Yours truly.
Dear Sirs:-
Your favor of the 16th. inst. at hand and also your
oontraot form. We are herewith enclosing the contract proper¬
ly filled out and hope same will find your approval.
As we are in a had need of dye material we wish you
kindly will forward the fifty poundB, which you state in your
letter that you are able to send at once.
CARBOLIC ACID DIVISION.
lir. H. Headoworoftj
Subject s . DISTILLIKG OF 9.0$ BENZOL ..
Referring to our conversation over the telophone this
afternoon, I beg to inform you as follows? Data given from previous
distillations of 90$ Benzol show that the oost^ based, on 1,000 gals,
of Benzol going into the still are:
. For Steam - $4.25
■' water - «50
" Electric Light - .20
" Labor - - - l7* 00
lotal _ 21.95
In case we would add to this
overhead expenses, wo would count 280$ ,
on labor, i’.e., - - £7-60 ~
Grand total, including depreciation - 69.55. '}{•.! <; • ' /
Che figure for depreciation -- 280$ — appears to bo
rather high, but this is in line with instructions we reeoivod lately,
and according to which the depreciation has to amount to 33-l/3$ of tho
total investment per year.
We can safely figure that we can distill every 24 hours
(running day and nigit) 800 gals, of 90$ Benzol going into tho still.
1 am always mentioning the material going into the still only, as tho
output of Benzol Hoads, P. Benzol, Tuluol Heads, P. Tuluol and Solvent
Naphtha depends entirely on the quality of the raw material.
CHEMICALS fOR MEDICtNAL.PHOTOGRAPHIC,
“rssr*; analytical and technical, purposes. .
/ , }i*'\ ^ci' y* acY it ■ / /
'W' 1 ^ |^-w®Ty4US0.I®,.. June 20|h, 1915.
^ ^ W *K /• A*&s&
r7r. \
•j T“ •• ““•• 14—
0r"'‘' !-J- <m .7T />
Will you please quota ua your lowest price 1
uo what quantities you are able to supply. If you'r c
,-ji would ba glad to consider an arrangement for taking your entire' p^H*|tJfch^»r ^
Will you please also advise us whether you ary^>*Wflyl^^^o 1\
^•onfu.S.P, (Iron by Hydrogen) and if so, -what <a/antitie^ou\^.j3jf^lyJP a?>pW W
pVicje, mailing ue also a sample for examinatioiy!
Your earlyreply will oblige,
lM.UeE.v\ /
x
K V p W /“ ' i 'At
’■ j^rUe XT , / S3LJ&JU***"*-
OA+**r*+/*\ ’ ^ ,
X have thought over, how to arrange filling into bottles of P.
Phonol to be delivered by Phenol Plant #2 to this plant, the scheme which you
outlined to me on the telephone yesterday afternoon, as I meet with quite some
difficulties, I think it better to invito your attention beforehand to the sit-
Y/e would to most pleas od to
factory and lot Dr. Schaefer, our V/orl<
unsuitability of tho rejocted dolivori
present shipments and those sont at tho beginning of th
were ontiroly satisfactory.
HE, 7 YOHK ftUDilHS
WaK/m
I'-''
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j — 6<(L
Si) t-0~r- s'iXsy . ^'4.C_U-a_ttiO • / ^ ^ '^'V
s^fb^h ^Usj- - -* — -
Oi,cu^ jfJz'&j tfZ- J
sSj^s-C — ,-AS-y. ^CLx.a cj<Ul~<sj <CLs-sJy>y)_ _ / /XM^Oj_^=
j- ^) £^a«_ / ~^o— 6 /'^-'M}"^- ^~<~'-AAA^g— gj(—
j-o C^_J)
<$La—f-
@-/^L/u ■ t-1 i 0
'~£o~>
rt>-
Zd XUtsJJZ^
(^^{-caow <X-<J ^CO-aQ^MjvJ y /^
✓U-T^y v
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'PCj^yjs- ^stsssf^s^ /^--/uM-t__ ^
/£> ‘s^s^cJ~f t~ _ " ^tyb~ AAcA— *st*^fb
Z-' -^o^b -TL'lo-r
~Ae>—cA c«_ /SStSc-c^Y <2ctc,v_< eZF^J
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r^y^-o— -
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CUUi-
C>~ CUt^<L — • ^ UL'-' — '
AsH sLUrV V'lA'Y-, UUa citrus- J/(<^J-
7^_ 7^ j^li.
^-^-LoL-a_ -f- ^is-x^j)—
^g-r f._<j ■ 'tU-^-x^ _ (Xxs *<— rUsQ ^-ZOZy,
yCt^i^ sUsjxuy - - J ■ '^L <J .
^ ) — /, ~ ^ ^ r'-f (fsK, \ylus-o^r Irttr**
r~fi.. , /CJ-x^Jc .-^-w_X_ 'VS-O-O tfv^otuA^lj' 1
‘>6L~xj cfl ; ru^iXu, r£r
jzu^-X j^_ , /£*
dX -
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/^tr(
: jioj-Q CLo~xx
^ sus-^-Cls-/- &usJ
Jo 0-xJ\- - CU-*-xs
_4/_ 4
- » '^O-O'.-^S V- ■ 5 —
‘ ~Ptn
Mr~C Ttf*- /Ci^Jr—. Auvoy — _ v/^ '£-t-ArH—
^..rrc^ r^r <fb— ^0—h *^^1- jy^b-
^0 C2^5TAJ_^f —
-c~_> ✓j£< — y • £LLc~^~y
^JsJXk stu^. '//LJ-'-^d v-
^4- /UsJzL~y y£*~ “^fOsh -
luvuv nan t c ruolie old f-ivioion.
. liver
telcphoi
liver '
;:t tali th-T ■
<£ atoo’C ,.t the U:
wo ••“‘Vised, ’.nil I infanne.; iii.i tint I had not. ;<o
euir,;octod that i. i~ot in bomnunl option arltli ..r, .
i iuesorhoff, wliich I di«. During my telephone oonvo. t
with ; :;i iorhoff x found oat the -following ftclu:-
r.ltiod
v land
Ch..t ho h.'-U stool: of finished
‘■'-t •a'iTosii.s.toly -.76,000 'net . ttcek of
«t 'iprroxlw toly .'«6,ot<o.
product
r.-w n tori'.-.l
1'iist hi;:.' lnvaoteonl lo-«or shotted !:Ie
o<’Ulp;.;ent to bo worth appro si;--', toly . Ji3c, i.r,
“ l*i,®rho£;e vt--lod th ho wuj going ovorlitfl entire
:iBT.toi* oo C3r us the o^uipnont w.i. concerned <■ svl ho
or al:- not glvo mo any definite fi.vurcu at the proaett
time, nut in his opinion thin valuation of '.Mib.ct'.-
entirely too high.
'*hia
of .-.bout
Clxgorou on the orui
they will continue
it nrtvl a-ihlo to i'uc
At the prooont tlr.-o
tliio mount an i.aoro
ehoYAS o total . pprosii.;.--.t',‘ v. Us -.tier.
In..:riueh u 1 could not .-at definite
pmont, mtu furtbor aa it in o-rpootod
to atoro tho f ini abort prodnot £ thought
fe.iite our Insurance to .;SCe,-..« t .
wo are carrying ,U2< ,060, therefore.
-.QO of
I. tolophonod . ooi.-rn. cv/ons 1 • '. hill J r-o
yesterday iftornoon ;-nci rc< uo:,to., thorn to olnco this
udil.lt} on .1 amount.
Jtor your InfoiTnition, I mlnht £■■
the prooont tine owing to tho number of firoc ts
had at our different pUuita this- ye:r tho inuiu
Companies do not boos to bo over anxious to inr.
risks. i'eunro. twene . Phillips irrt.odi: tely s
to pin eo thin .\drtit tonal insur woo, nnd they ot
y the t at
;0 tv. va
itartod
b'lirr
ifco.v wore prott’- iwo of
•ibic! to y.'J.'cic tl«* entire
ii-itor up {5-.il.v-, ' n-i if 1
boon fitioon withl-s thf
notify ,,on.
aoiiMT
!..lov; this
•• i will
Chin *- apartment b:vlc?t' not boon , Wined
by tiio :• . -belie -.oiii nivir- : on o f t- • 'inere-ee J.u ntoni.
otniipiinnit rrbvo;. once suoro t>- « t the 'ivl Uon ro not
oo-opowstiiv: with this; '.'r -rtment in vo:-r<i to tj.ro
insur-moo, at- Uio;/ chnuld do in order to wo perl;.*
•-•rotoot -.r. V-iioon’o iniorentn. (bid or a i o of
loth mb, .’iir-.nci l tocutlvo'i ,v.n.vor--.nr.ur, :,4:;.'v
r, : ;;o« t to evor,? TUvJ oion -isr-ror to •• oilier: ; !.tf :•
; ro .'otl.. t»:o v le.'.ticit liuU.iiwo, o-;.ir:;:or't
i'U.1 inventory. the s.erocnt ;yo of rcti:oris» -you" wit;
remember v . oxtmwiy u.i-.ll .'.«d unde-.-' a. to of : • bru-.r;
.-nd, 1 Jib this) .'ej.artisoiit iisuiieo. ■ roj.j y to the . i*oro
i ;out.lonod uewor -niiu: . roauosstiric tint Divioione ir-bo
.itv.:oii' to notion. nemo lundimi ii<! not brlnf. ; -nob
bolter rocuitu ann .vlion tnlitin;.: it over With .on
yon v4.ll, s>rob- bl.v ranontior ih-.t it vf n booidod to
lot the v.-ltor root «t thnt time on s c count of y.ll the
’Uvialono being but-.v oiooirif? their boobi for tho
u r. In :i e'.orduneo with your inotrue.iouo of
yes torduy yftornoon tcul.y I. writirt: -neither
:.:bmorar.dur» on 154;. puuo «ub.}«iet vhlefc i trust •-1.U.
briny the dec trod rocn.ltu.
IniMirrneo
• o.-vloo -;o> •'■.rti iont.
0.0. nostro. -i.iJ.in 5jort, Chiw.juiuon, o.;,.,:ilcon,
./ . floworoft 1., /'iiaaor' off.
Juno 36th. 1916.
Western Fur Dressing & Dyeing Dorha,
266 State Street,
St. Paul, Iiinn.
Gontlomon :
V.o have received your favor of the 19th instant, en¬
closing contract for 100 pounds of Paraphenylenediamine per
month fro Juno to December, 1916 at §3.75 p ;r pound. Please
accept our thanks therefor. Kudosed you will find copy of
the contract signed by Mr. Silicon.
ns you stated in your letter that you aro groatly in
need of Paraphenylenediamine, wo have forwarded 60 pounds by
express* and trust that it will be satisfactory that we have
sent it by express rather than by freight.
V.o will forward to you two shipments of 50 pounds
ovory month, ono shipment at the beginning of the month, and
one say, in tho third week of the month. How will that suit
you?
Yours vory truly,
Kdison Laboratory .
Knelosuro .
June 26th. 1916.
Mr. liaison:
1 examined this mill sometime ago et your directions
and made vorbal report to you. Cho Fullor Mill is en oia typo
and of course is worn in all parts, Che mill is in practically
the same condition as the five we had at the cement plant and
could bo sot up and operated in its present conditions, and would
pulverize . ffiio shaft and bearings are worn and pushor sleeve is
craclced, but wo continuously operated them in this condition.
Che mill is of an obsolete typo ana I would not recommend it for
a pormanont installation for undoubtedly there arc several types
of more efficient mills in the market. I believe Mr. Hudson lias
decided to put in a Hardingo mill which is a type of tube mill
and I believe will be more efficient than this oia typo Fuller
Mill.
MuSOK .
Juno 27th. 19X6.
Ur. John Bacon, Jr.,
j. Edison Benaol Plant,
Johnstown, Pa.
Boar Sir:
LIr. j'ivson showed mo yesterday your lettor about tho
strav/ oil and caustic soda. I am vory sorry for tho delay. I
ordered both the caustic soda an tho straw oil immediately on
receipt of your lotter calling for same. I am told that tho
caustic soda was shipped from Silver Lake on June ISth and
should bo in your hands now.
I am just this moment in receipt of your telegram stat¬
ing that you have had no notice of the shipment of tho car of
straw oil. I am sorry for the delay. Immediately on receipt of
your letter I sent an order through to tho Purchasing Bepartmont.
Yes tor day, .hen i.ir. i.lason showed mo your lottor I immediately
called the Purchasing Bepartmont up on tho tolcphono requesting
the utmost spoed in getting this order filled. I will now rush
them again, and trust that some results will be forthcoming right
away.
Yours vory truly.
Assistant to Mr. Edison.
•3
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
C. 21. CDtson, 2Ben50l #Iant
-J £-i.L£-^K-^y _
iofmototon, ffa..
V
* / J.
C - crtCe-t o-K^-y -
v_y . (-/ C'' r
/ Cc'y £czt-<d- /
^ t 6U-> .. . y)
^AUjuO s^uUy
' fout/' Ccc+tj
Copy
Johnstown, Pa. ,
June 27, 1916.
Dear Mr. Maeon:
We started changing #1 Huzel yesterday and will
get it finished by to-morrow morning -- # 2 is a wouceer, we
made yesterday 826 goes on it and for four hours last night
the steam was low, or we would have gotten 900 goes. It works
fine no pressure, and the oil goes through as fast as we can
pump it. Nothing to it?
I have given an order to the Eng. Dept, for a
small tank to take care of the Acid tar, 36" x 5', this
will be placed near the washer to drain the tar into and from
there (while it is still hot) blow it with air to Cambria's
reclaiming tank -- This takes care of the tar, the caustic
they are going to let go into the drain.
Their present idea is to build a small reservoir
to catch this drain water and use it for quenching the coke,
of course, this is all Cambria's expense. The pay roll has
not arrived yet, 6 days late. To save myself a lot of em¬
barrassment. I dug up 4450. to pay the men.
This is a rotten deal. I could not get any more
from Cambria so am doing all this work myself. I have put on
two extra men until this is finished. We have a good deal of
work on hand. I want to put in two extra coolers, (we have
them on hand, some that have had new tubes put in) and a lot
of pipe work in connection with the Naphthaline tank and acid
I like the plans of the new column - very much,
let me know how you are progressing as to having them cast so
I can plan to receive and place them.
Yours truly,
/s/ Bacon.
Notation:
Harry Miller: Let Eacon have capital enough ahead for
payroll, this will stop this trouble
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
and Dyestuffs a
92 WILLIAM STREET
New York City
y/i i
,LC'' ;U' 1
June 27, 1916.
hr . Keadowcroft ,
Edi so n lahorato rxeir;' -
0 range, L'.J.
Boar Bir
■ie have sent to the following a letter, as ;i
the attached copy, which is so If -explanatory . Shis v/c
done at the request of I,Ir, Iloffinann.
Si’.c Bayer Co.,
Siie Keller a Herz Co.,
II. A. I,Iot a & Co.,
i7. Bookers Aniline Ct Chemical 7,'orks , Inc.,
Schoellkopf aniline &• Chemical i/orks, Inc.,
Koidich Process Co.,
Hemingway a Co. Inc.,
standard Aniline Products, Inc.
%■' lik:
Yours very truly,
SUPP1Y CO.
1 1 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^-JtiEAIC^iihCj^jj l, ....
h ‘JC,
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
The Bayor Co.,
Albany, II. Y.
Gent lemon
Juno 26, 1916.
wo' Trf.ll havo for delivery beginning about
August 1st £onsid<fcne in the form of Preo Base, Sul- .
phato and Hydro-Chlorate.
T/o will bo very pleased to havo you ad vino
whothor you are intorostod in those materials, and if
30, whether you would caro to entor into a contract
for oithor of them for a specified amount monthly over
a period of six months or a year.
If you will advice us that you are interest¬
ed, wo ’.7ill bo very glad to submit our proposition to you.
Thanking you in advance for your oourtosy.
Yours very truly,
AUBRICAIJ OIL & SUPPLY CO.
AEJ:CH.
MEMORANDUM
m. EDISON,
LABORATORY.
Dear Sir:-
At tlio beginning of oporation of tho Anilino Plant, it had been our
praotioe to pay tho operatives for on 8 how day, 30 Bento per hour, tho fore¬
men of operations, <10 cento per hour, and gonoral foremen <J3fr cents por hour.-
As nev; men wore employed to toko tho place of oome who had loft, or to caro for
the additional work found nococoaiy in the mill, tho mon who had boen in the
service longer did not rolioh seeing tho new handn being employed at tho same
rate por hour as thoy wore receiving, iind roquosted no to grant thorn an increase,
l'hls was denied, and wo adopted tho plan when engaging now help to pay them 35 ote,
per hour, and ao they became proficient they were increased to 27$- ote. per hour,-
and if. thoy merited it, thoy waro afterwards given n further inaroaoe to 30 oonta
per hour. The conditions ofi labor aro, and have boon, ouch thut it became ne¬
cessary in many oaooo to nol:o thoeo Inoroaeoe follow oloaoly upon each othor,
in order to retain tho holp then oraployod.
A petition wao preeonted to us, eigned by approximately all tho men
of tho Anilino Plant, demanding an inoroaeo in wagos to the oxtant of 35 cente
por hour. Thiu wao refused, and they oonaonted to remain at their work at
30 eents por hour, having confidence in uo to oontinuo the employment of new
mon in the method I havo abovo deacribod.
Thio memorandum is hunded you booau3o tho qunotion ie about to be
raised ao to tho reason for our giving ouch rapid increases, and your approval
of the plan wo have followed, indicated horeon, will bo very rauoh appreciated.
Yours very truly,
p. c. Christensen.
Hew Yorlc.^une 29th. 1916.
Dear Ur. Ueadoweroft: Qcn* fj
X went over the figures submitted to me by Ur. Christensen and ±^6.
that they are all theoretically right.
By careful testing with red litmus paper he might save some Soda when
making the combination with Phenol.
Salt he will surely save if he allows the combination liquid to stand
over night as we have talked it over.
He will probably also use less zinc dust if he carries out the experi¬
ment we thought might lead to this favorable end. I hope that nothing but
sucoess will crown your efforst. I am going away tomorrow over the holiday
and hope to be back in Hew York Saturday of next week.
Ueanwhile I should like you to submit to UT. Edison my idea concerning
phonographic records.
Uany users of Ur. Edison’s machine and myself think that the orchestra
whieh^he uses is very, very poor, much poorer than those of his competitors.
/Bow I have a . riend who has, as is generally considered, the best
orchestra in the City, namely, Mr. Hathan ErankO. He plays at the most
elegant functions of our richest socidty and also in some hotels. During
the summer he is not much engaged and I am sure that Ur. Edison might come
rto terms with him. Ur* Erariko is in my opinion one of the greatest violin
players and X am sure that his solos would surpass those of Spalding of Mr.
Edison's records. Mr. Erahko is spending his summer in long Beach and I
would be very much pleased if I could bring him Hnd Mr1 Edison together.
\ Can you do anything for me in this matter?
wi.1<h kindest regards, I am,
Yours sincerely,
(signed) H. Schweitzer.
XaOTTJ:® LAZiffiB
Dyestuffs — CiiemihatjS
92 William Street
New York
\ sdh:
xV
June £9th 1916.
Mr . Mead owe ro ft ,
o/o Mr. 'i’hos. A Adii
Orange H. J.
My dear Mr. Meadowcroft:
'L efA^'"
M.,v<
,7 j-a— — /-
Some time ago, you asked me for a quotation on
.•i trite ,;o -a I received, a cablegram from my Mona on offioey
quoting me ^ 25 5. 00 per ton of 2240 pounds, f.o.b. French j?o*'t ,
subject to export licenses being granted, not cash against y
delivery.
I trust to be favored with your orders and in the
meantime, I am
Yours very truly
?f A < Clo <s:
/ . - */ //3 S'
June 29, 1.916.
Mr. V.'. H. Meadawcroft,
o/o Thomas A. Edison, Inc. ,
Orange, E. J.
Dear Mr, Meadawcroft:
Mr. I. Brocher, Sales Manager of the Globe Chemical
Company 202-204 Centre Street, Hew York, is interested in the
following chemicals. Paraphenylenediamine, Bensidine, Aniline Oil,
Aniline Salt, Dimethyl Aniline. Would you he good enough to advise
me if you can supply these various chemicals, stating the quantities
and prices respectively.
Awaiting with interest your reply, X am,
Yours very truly..— s— ?
RTL:RG
Edison General File Series
1916. Chemicals (E-16-16)
July
July let. 1916.
Ur. nobert lossior,
141 Broadway,
Bow York City.
Boar Ur. hosier:
Koplying to your favor of the £9th ultimo, let mo say that
out of tuo variou" chemicals that you mention v.e arc not making ^on-
zidino, or himothyl Aniline. ■ o .0 -nilino -ii, wo are at present
under an arrangement with tho . mariean Oil w ■■-upply_ Bomnc-ny 1.0 tuxo
tho excess over our contracts, and I think you wouly fine that they
would make you a very roneonnWo =• notation, os X happen to know that
they are suite willing to: isposc of some of their stock at a vary
closo figure, fi-is , however, is between ourselves.
| afi to -nili;:s ..alt, -.0 stake
'pros out time, and are unable to give <
1 however, is contemplating tho putting
within tho next few wo oka, in thick or
of. I .m unsble, however, to say any!
at tho noment, bocauso it all hinges 1
ho able to got apparatus quickly.
only for tv.o customers at the
mutations to others. ~r. Bdison,
~ut> of an addition to his plant
tec wo snail have more to disposo
thins: definite about this just
jn tho tucction whether wo shall
..s to farawhonylenedianino, wo arc
our contract roouiromontb, end at this tiiao
ply you ith from 1 to £00 pounds on fairly
this is 04.00 por pound, and hr. a&ison v. r"1
of 20^ i.or pound.
making some excess over
70 are in position to oup-
fiort notice. Our price on
allow you a commission
Yours vary truly.
assistant to Hr . iidison.
decrease during the summer months,
hereafter data from: our records up t
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January
Fobruaiy
Llarch
April
870,020
1,114,170
1,003,960
982,060
1,056,200
1,700,485
■ 2,154,086
\2, 295, 142
2,507,291
2,846,700
3^224,760
f 2,524,670 ''N
1 2,792,538 J
For your information X bog to givo you
i and including the month of June:
Consumption of Coal for 1 day,
according to daily report.
_ Founds _
33,440
48 ,260
41,420
36,700
45,600
72,100
91,800
94,830
95,760
110,960
125,780
108,360
100,080
109,080.
Those figures prove that , although no stoam is used at prose
for heating purposes, tho total consumption of coal in June v;as almost as
hi {51 as in February, and not much lower than in Llarch, the latter being t
month| with the highest coal consumption so far.
American Oil & Supply Co.
Oils, Greases, Acids, Chemicals
52-54-50 Lafayette Street
Newark^N.J. July 3rd, 1916.
Mr. T. A. Edison,
Orange, N. J.
Dear Sir:-
Mr. W. H. Meadowcroft.
Hie third and last lot of Oil of llyrbane is
■being returned by the Monsanto Chemical Works, St.
Louie, Mo. It has been impossible to suit these people.
These ten drums were returned June 23rd from
St. Louis consigned to American Oil & Supply Co.,, cere
of T. A. Edison, Silver Lake, N. J. , in N.Y.C.& H.R. car
#115346.
We enclose copy of B/L together with their
freight bill for §75.60 outgoing freight which we must
in turn allow to them.
Will you kindly see that when these goode
arrive they are credited to our account. We have charged
them up to you and formal invoice will go forward under
separate cover.
We are not going to try to please these people
further as our experience with them has been very un¬
satisfactory.
Yours very truly,
American Oil & Supoly Co.,
fi/jP), . **
/ { '’Secretary.
CRB/T
July 5th. 1916.
Elyria Enameled Products Company,
Elyria, uhio.
Gontlomon :
1 am ..riting in tho hope that you may
have caught up fairly wo 11 with your orders, and
that you might he able to furnish a still of about
:.D gallons capacity within a short time.
tenet encouragement can you offer?
lours very truly.
P.S. Please mark your reply for attention of ilr.
.Vioadov.eroft .
July 5 th. 1916.
American oil Si Supply so.,
52 Lafayotto Street,
llowark, Xl. J.
Gontlomon :
I am writing now in rogard to tho adjustment of deliveries
of ihonol as between Do. 1 and Ho. 2 Plants.
Under our contract arrangements with you wo arc to supply
you with 2500 pounds of rhonol per day. -his has usually boon de¬
livered from Iio . 2 Plant, when wo started the bottling business,
however, we found it was desirable from our manufacturing standpoint :
o havo tho bottle Phenol put up at ilo. 1 Plant. V«e will, therefore, -
adjust the matter each month by deducting from the usual dclivorios
to you from ilo. 2 Plant the cmantith that has been bottled and
shipped during the month by iio. 1 Plant. .
At this writing the shipments stand as follows: Ho. 1 Plant
shipped -to you in Juno a total of 4440 pounds of Phenol in bottles.1'',
l?or tho sake of making easy delivery in standard packages, lot us call
this 4500 pounds. -V
Eo adjust this, we should omit delivering 4500 pounds fromv
Ho- 2 Plant. Of this 4500 wo omitted one dny-is delivery, namely, \
2500 pounds, one day at tho latter end of last month, and to complete
the adjustment wo will deliver to you tomorrow/ from Ho. 2 Plant only
500 pounds, instead of 2500 pounds, thus making a total omiBsion in
billing from Ho. 2 Plant of 45u0 pounds. ,
Crusting this will be satisfactory to you, I remain.
Yours very truly.
Assistant to J.ir. Edison.
E.I.du Pont de Nemours X Company
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE July 5, 1916
PURCHASING DEPARTMENT
Thomas A. Edison,
Orange, N. J,
Gentlemen: Attention of Mr, Meadowcrof.
Referring to your letter of the let Inst, with regard to the
shipment of o. p. toluol to .us in tank oars instead of drumsffor the
present fenno, at least, we have no objection to your shipping in tank
oars, provided of course, that you furnish the oar, as we have at this
time no tank oars suitable for the transportation of water-white o. p.
material except those whioh are required for handling the production
of our Refineries.
you state that you are producing somewhat more than 130 gallons
per day at Johnstown, but do not indicate how much. As your laet ship¬
ment to us was made on June 19th, presumably you will be able to load
an 8,000 gallon tank oar by the middle of August, or there about.
Will you kindly advise whether you desire to move this material,
for the time being, in tank cars, and what is your approximate produc¬
tion per day at the' present time.
WJRH*ARJ-
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
5e'i,u~£-
u&g, u.ctT't'Z..
M* t**
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K‘-Cv'r<fc- £*~i C < V Ui^O
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ossa ckh<p. Cc4 S c"-! o ^LclcCf /.t«c <■,</ J
dc(C^4" X (^6^
[ATTACHMENT/ENCLOSURE]
Ka\C> ce± of L-(S~ <*= l- ^
O <rcC C J-/^Cc <jT (’■<*?-'■ \, tz
Lt^C-UC £H-C,3l c+" . J' fO p fA / '•<■
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~tfL defl^Ca. c^*&, • L " ^ " ■
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GAHBOLIC ACID DIVISIOII.
Silver Lake, II. J.,
July Gth, 1916.
Hr. V/. II. Meodowcroft :
Subject: . . xSODDCTIOl! . OP P. PHEHOI.
Iloforring to our telephone convoreation of yesterday, I bos to
submit hereafter a record of our monthly and daily production, beGinnins
Marsh, 1915, and closing with June, 1916.
Month Ho. of days
in month
1915
March 31
April 30
May 31
June 30
July 31
Ausust 31
September 30
Octobor 31
Kovembor 30
Decombor 31
1916
January 31
February 29
March 31
Aoril 30
May 31
Juno 30
Ho. of working Production
days in month total
in lbs.
Production per
day of working
month . day
31 115,109
30 94,809
31 100,217
30 122,126
31 131,577
31 140,737
23 137,866
31 165,822
27 199,977
22 170,030
23 162,729
24 160,293
27 172,132
21 173,739
26 194,032
23 185,646
3,393.5 3,393.5
3.162.9 3,162.9
3.490.9 3,490.9
4,070.8 4,070.8
4.244.4 4,244.4
4.539.9 4,539.9
4.595.5 4,923.7
5,349. 5,349.
6.665.9 7,406.5
5,484.8 7,729.5
5.249.3 7,075.17
5.527.3 6,678.8
5.552.6 6,375.2
5.791.3 8,273.28
6,259. 7,462.7
6,188. 8,071.5.
2he above record shows that up to Octobor, 1915, we were work¬
ing every day in the month, i.e., week-day as well as Sunday, with tho excep¬
tion of September, when to lost two days owing to labor trouble. From Kovcn-
bor, 1915, on our facilities for manufacturing Phenol were increased so far
that we could produce 7,000 lbs. per v;o rking day, and moro, but at tho same
time the congestion^ of the traffic on the railroads caused a certain lack of
raw material, decreasing tho number of working days per month more or loss.
Mhorefore, from January of this year on wo abandonnod work on Sundays Generally,
being well able to dispose of tho incoming raw material by working on week-days
In spite of losing in April by labor trouble, and in June by firo
a few days, wo could, dispose of all tho raw material coming in, and I tried as
far as possible to koop our daily production corresponding to the supply of raw
material. It is readily to be seen from our daily roports/which roach you
every afternoon.that during a number of days in June we wore very close to
running out of raw material; in fact, if we had not slowed down, when our stock
of raw material was low, we would have had to shut down on
1'ho record shows, furthermore , that by di.vidi.n5 the total
production per month by the warkinG days, we reach an average daily pro-
iluctlon of r.ioro than G,000 lba tr Consequently, v.’e '. ill be in riosltion
to raise our monthly production easily to "10,000 lbs. and higher at any
time when the incoming raw material allows such higher production, end
provided that you may kindly inform me that tiro higher production is
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